neon tube memories

[Brent Hilpert]

> 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.
> 
> Eric Smith wrote:
> > 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.

Precisely.