neon tube memories

[Eric Smith]

Tony wrote:
> Quite a hack to get a counter, latch and display driver in just 8
> transistors!

Allison wrote:
> Only takes 4bits to count to 10. Though it could be a switch tail
> ring counter.

Brent wrote:
> Flip-flops: 2 transistors per bit. 4 bits * 2 trans/bit = 8 trans.

But 8 transistors used in any obvious way does not also get you a
latch and display driver in addition to the counter.  That's what
makes the use of the neon lamps in the HP design exceptionally clever.

Eric