Science History Institute Science History Institute

Digital Collections

Digital Collections

  • About
  • FAQ
  • Contact
Limit Dates
 – 
Scientific apparatus and instruments, Glassware

Geissler Tube

  • After 1857

Rights

No Copyright Public Domain

Download selected image

Small JPG800 x 1997px — 119 KBMedium JPG1200 x 2995px — 251 KBLarge JPG2880 x 7189px — 1.3 MBFull-sized JPG2959 x 7386px — 1.3 MBOriginal fileTIFF — 2959 x 7386px — 62.5 MB
View
No Copyright Public
Domain

The Geissler Tube is a sealed glass cylinder of a unique design with a metal electrode at each end. The Geissler Tube was invented by the German glassblower and physicist, Johann Heinrich Wilhelm Geissler (1814-1879) in 1857. Geissler tubes were the first gas discharge tubes. Each contains rarefied gasses such as neon or argon; conductive fluids; or ionizable minerals or metals. When voltage is applied to the apparatus, electric current flows through the tube causing its contents to fluoresce. A multitude of colors and effects can be achieved by modifying the gaseous contents of the tube. Geissler tubes were mass-produced beginning in the 1880s as novelty and entertainment devices. By the early 20th century, the technology was commercialized and evolved into neon lighting.

Property Value
Format
  • Physical Object
Genre
  • Glassware
  • Scientific apparatus and instruments
Medium
  • Electrodes
  • Glass
  • Metal
Extent
  • 7 in. L
Subject
  • Electrodes
  • Fluorescence
  • Geissler, Heinrich
  • Glassware
  • Glow discharges
  • Scientific apparatus and instruments
Rights Public Domain Mark 1.0
Credit line
  • Courtesy of Science History Institute

Physical location

Department
  • Museum
Exhibition
  • ExhibitLab

Related Items

  • Test Tube Rack
  • Lime glass tube

Cite as

Science History Institute. Geissler Tube. Photograph, 2021. Science History Institute. Philadelphia. https://digital.sciencehistory.org/works/pty356d.

  Export citation (RIS) ?

This citation is automatically generated and may contain errors.

Science History Institute

Geissler Tube

/

Rights

No Copyright Public Domain

Download selected image

  • Keyboard Shortcuts

    Previous imageshift + or ,
    Next imageshift + or .
    Pan image
    Zoom in+ or shift +
    Zoom out- or shift +
    Zoom to fit0
    Close vieweresc
    Also
    Mouse click to zoom in; shift-click to zoom out. Drag to pan. Pinch to zoom on touch.

The Science History Institute recognizes there are materials in our collections that may be offensive or harmful, containing racist, sexist, Eurocentric, ableist, or homophobic language or depictions. The history of science is not exempt from beliefs or practices harmful to traditionally marginalized groups. The Institute is engaged in ongoing efforts to responsibly present and address the evidence of oppression and injustice inextricable from the history of science. If you would like to learn more about our ongoing efforts or if you encounter harmful, inaccurate, or insufficient descriptions, please contact us at digital@sciencehistory.org.

Science History Institute

Headquarters

315 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
215.925.2222
Directions
Museum Hours

West Coast

415.798.2104
Get in Touch

Boston/Cambridge

617.500.8668
Get in Touch

Europe

Maison de la Chimie
28, Rue Saint-Dominique
75007 Paris
France
Get in Touch
© 2022 Science History Institute | Privacy Policy | Accessibility
This website uses cookies to perform analytics, improve functionality, and enhance user experience. You may set your browser to decline cookies, but some content on our site may not display properly. For more information, please visit our privacy policy.
I Accept