OT Don't read this (was Re: Altair MBL source)

[Tony Duell]

> If things had worked out differently we might be using
> ultraminiature electron tubes. Imagine! An entire flipflop in one
> package!

I nthe 1920's, Lowe (in Germany) made a radio receiver which consisted of 
a tuend ciruit, headphones, batteries, and a single glass envelope. That 
contained 3 triodes and all the R's and C's. 

The idea did not catch on. The single glass device was expensive, and if 
any part failed you ad to replace the whole thing. Other radios were much 
cheaper to repair.

A flip-flop valve would certainly be possible.

-tony