In other Penta news

Season's Greetings from Penta Labs

2011-12-23T07:59:00.000-08:00

Tubes in Audio Applications

2011-12-19T12:25:00.000-08:00

"The simple reason we use valves for the amplifications
circuits in our best products is that intrinsically, valves are the best
device for amplifying analog waveforms. The point of building equipment to reproduce music is just that, to reproduce music, and we shouldn't be hung
up on the active devices, that's very narrow thinking. "

--William Zane Johnson,

founder of Audio Research
credit

Penta enters the 2000s

2011-12-16T09:47:00.000-08:00

Big things happened for Penta in the new century. Our office moved to a larger warehouse and testing facility. We also increased our advertising presence for power tubes, as evidenced by the ad below which was published in 2002.

50 Year Celebration

2011-12-07T08:38:00.001-08:00

And then the '90s

2011-12-06T09:26:00.000-08:00

In the '90s electron tube technology had been around for about 80 years. Supplies of tubes in the states began to dwindle, so Penta began to partner with manufacturers in China, Czechoslovakia, and Yugoslavia. We began stocking over 6,000 different types of electron tubes. And of course, created a new catalog for all of those new parts.

In the '90s Penta also developed it's own newsletter. This was the '90s, so everything was distributed in print (remember those days?). Now, you can see those newsletters in digital form on our website at: http://www.pentalabs.com/tube_talk.html

Rocketing into the '80s

2011-12-01T10:25:00.000-08:00

During the 80s computers, walkmans, boomboxes, the Delorean, and seat belt usage soared. Penta began to develop new product lines. And of course, for a new decade there was a new catalog.

The 1970s

2011-11-30T09:40:00.000-08:00

The 1970s brought the development of the laser and integrated circuit. The first MRI image was published in 1973. The world's first general microproccessor was developed. The Godfather won Best Picture at the Oscars of 1972. And Penta Labs came out with a new catalog cover that fit the times:

Celebrating 50 Years

2011-11-29T09:33:00.000-08:00

Penta Laboratories was founded in 1951, and is celebrating our 50 year anniversary this year. In honor of our celebration, I thought that I'd post some information about Penta Labs electron tubes through the ages. Below is a catalog page from 1961.

This was the same year that:

John F. Kennedy delivered the first live presidential news conference

Yuri Gagarin became the first human in space

Roger Maris hits 61 home runs to break Babe Ruth's single season home run record

The Fantastic Four Comic Book Series debuts

The Ken doll is introduced

And Penta perfected our beam-power Pentode vacuum tube

2011-11-02T11:45:00.001-07:00

PM5193 Flyer-Revised Indd

People Talk

2011-10-03T11:36:00.001-07:00

We have some great reviews of our products. Check them out below:

KT88SC-Matched Pair

GEKT88

572B

12AX7M

If you want to join the conversation with a review of one or our tubes email me at rabeccah@pentalabs.com and maybe your review will end up on our website!

USB Drive Art

2011-09-26T08:11:00.000-07:00

Steampunk Art Supplies has created USB Drives using old vacuum tubes for a stylish looking thumb drive. Here's the link if you want to check out more information about Steampunk Art.

Did you know?

2011-09-22T10:40:00.000-07:00

If you’re driving a convertible, it’s a
sure bet the top was manufactured using
tubes to control the equipment used to
seal the seams and install the “backlite”
(rear window). Detroit automakers use
much of the same type equipment to also
manufacture interior items, like door
panels, etc.

Photo Credit: Wikimedia

Vacuum Tubes in the News

2011-09-08T11:42:00.000-07:00

"Before the transistor, electronics relied on vacuum tubes. According to enthusiasts, systems using vacuum tubes sound “sweeter” or “warmer” than their transistor counterparts."

In and Article from The Record Exchange: St. Louis’ — and possibly the world’s — largest collection of vinyl records
September 8, 2011 Davis Sargeant Senior Scene Editor

Click here for the full article

Happy Birthday Lee De Forest

2011-08-26T09:31:00.000-07:00

Today was the birthday of Lee De Forest (who has been included in previous posts here, here, and here). Among his over 180 patents was the invention of the audion tube. This tube became an amplifier, and after perfecting it a transmitter of radio signals.

You can read even more about the development of the tube at our website.

Photo Credit: Public Domain

2011-06-02T14:46:00.001-07:00

How Many Years have you worked at Penta?

1 year

Describe Your Job.

When I come to work I usually brand tubes, make tools, and clean tubes. I am an all around helper. When ever anyone needs a hand I am there to help.

What is the most challenging part of your work?

The most challenging part for me is trying to get the best quality in the short amount of time given to produce and ship a part on time.

What makes Penta stand apart?

Penta stands on its own in the processes it takes to make sure that the customer is receiving the best possible part each and every time.

What are your hobbies?

Fishing, dirt bike riding, going to the beach, and having an all around good time.

Today in History

2011-01-13T11:24:00.000-08:00

Photo Credit
In 1910, radio pioneer and electron tube inventor Lee Deforest arranged the world's first public radio broadcast, a performance by the New York Metropolitan Opera. With erratic signals the broadcast reportedly reached all the way to Newark, New Jersey.

Classic Film on Technological Achievements

2011-01-04T11:57:00.000-08:00

Photo Credit: Blake, Inc.

In 1943 Quality Films released this video about the technological achievements of the day. Included in this film are explanations of the technology, as well as insight into how the products were produced. Of course, integral to the video is the invention of the electron tube. It can be purchased on Amazon.com using the link below.

Classic Vacuum Tube Film DVD: 1943 Electronics History of Electron, Cathode, Vacuum Tubes And Early Transistor & Valve Technology Review

Happy Holidays!

2010-12-16T12:31:00.000-08:00

Holiday Gift Giving Part 2

2010-12-13T10:17:00.000-08:00

Paul Fryer has created a chess set that uses vacuum tubes and sockets to ensure that for every move your pieces light up. Definite points for creativity and coolness! The name is Chess Set for Tesla in honor of Nikola Tesla who patented his own version of the single terminal vacuum tube, in addition to research in X-ray tubes and other achievements.

Help for the Holidays

2010-11-22T09:51:00.000-08:00

Finally, a Holiday Gift Guide about making your own gifts for your loved ones! MakerShed has a kit for building your own vacuum tube clock for $85. Pretty cool if you ask me. Right up there with the vacuum tube necklace.

Celbrating X-rays

2010-11-08T10:58:00.000-08:00

Today, Google celebrated the accidental invention of the x-ray machine. As most great inventions are accidents(microwave, anyone?) x-rays were discovered during Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen's foray into cathode rays. When the cathode ray electrons reached a certain speed the collided, making it possible to see through objects. A few days later, he took the first x-ray picture of his wife's hand. Thanks to Time Newsfeed for the info. 1

Cool New Gadgets

2010-11-02T11:13:00.000-07:00

Recently, Hanwa created a gadget to enhance the sound quality of your computer headphones or speakers. It incorporates a vacuum tube into a USB plug to enhance sound. Pretty cool!

In the spirit of the holiday . . .

2010-10-29T10:05:00.000-07:00

This has nothing to do with electron tubes . . .

(unless you consider the fact that the first reliable computers were created with the use of electron tube technology making you watching this video today possible)

Today in History

2010-10-25T10:16:00.000-07:00

On October 25, 1955 the first domestic microwave oven was introduced. As mentioned in a previous post it was called the Radar Range. According to This Day in Tech the cost of this first microwave was equivalent to $16,000 to $24,000. That's a lot of money to pop some popcorn.
Today it's estimated that over 90% of American households have microwave ovens.

Easy fixes for Audio Equipment

2010-10-15T11:10:00.000-07:00

In this video Laren Parker with expert village shares some helpful tips about checking your audio equipment for problems. He specifically mentiones audio tubes and the ease of replacement, so check it out.

Did you know?

2010-10-13T11:15:00.001-07:00

Penta maintains an inventory of rare and "vintage" tubes. The oldest one in stock fits applications dating back to 1910.

That means that the uses for these tubes were created the same year that:

Halley's Comet was seen.
The Union of South Africa was created.
The first commerical freight air flight took place.
Henry Ford was setting records by selling 10,000 automobiles.
Mother Teresa was born.

Vacuum Tube: How Does It Work? (Part 1)

2010-10-13T09:48:00.000-07:00

Interested in more information about the function of electron tubes? There are some great resources around the web, including this symplified explanation that I found on youtube by Adnan Arduman, an audio enthusiast that builds his own amplifiers and hosts a radio show about the subject in his native Turkey. He has also been published in Audio Art magazine in Taiwan.

There is also a lot of information about vacuum tube function on our website.

quotable

2010-10-04T10:32:00.000-07:00

Lee de Forest, inventor of the vacuum tube, said,

"What have they done with my child, the radio broadcast?”

Despite his disgust with what radio turned into during his lifetime, de Forest was still a fan of the movies. He recieved an Academy Award in 1959 for, "his pioneering inventions which brought sound to the motion picture"1. He also received this star on the Hollywood walk of fame. You can read a small bio about Lee de Forest at the LA Times Website.

Mr. de Forest, it's entirely possible that I've walked on your star by mistake.

Who doesn't like recycling?

2010-09-22T12:39:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I came across an article by Patrick Gorman on ehow.com about recycling. I'm a huge fan of recycling and I confess that I have been known to bring a separate trash bag to the party for recyclables. So I was really excited when this article was all about recycling TUBES. Yes, that's right you can recycle your electron tubes.

The How To Article suggests several different options for disposing of your electron tubes in an earth friendly way. They are:

•1
The Global Electronics Recycling Network has a list of electronics recycling organizations near you.

•2
My favorite option is the creative route. You can make jewelry or decorations with your vacuum tubes. Some examples I found on the web of people who are finding creative "re-uses" for vacuum tubes are these:

A store on etsy called exoskeletoncabaret makes and sells these stylish vacuum tube necklaces.

A new favorite "re-use" I discovered when I started working at Penta-- the electron tube Christmas ornament. This is my favorite from an artist that sells on etsy called Luna Clay Designs. They also have some spiders made out of old radio tubes just in time for Halloween.

Or, if you've ever visited the Penta Labs lobby you would see this creative re-working of a defunct tube. And yes, it's a real working lamp.

Westbeth Building Complex celebrates 40 years

2010-09-20T11:47:00.000-07:00

Today is the anniversary of the Westbeth building. According to the New Yorker it was the Silicion Valley of last century. Among the many great inventions that came out of the Westbeth building complex are radar, sound movies, the digital computer, and of course the vacuum tube. To read more click this link: Above and Beyond: newyorker.com

Photo courtesy Forgotten NY

It really is THAT important

2010-09-14T11:27:00.000-07:00

I came across a quote today from another blog that was discussing the invention of the vacuum tube.
“It is the most important single piece of equipment introduced into electrical engineering during the twentieth century. Its development has produced a new engineering art called electronics, which has given us radio, long distance telephones, sound motion pictures, public address systems, television, radar, electronic computers, and industrial automation.”

Click here to read the full history, along with a description of a few of the many functions of electron tubes.

2010-09-07T10:34:00.000-07:00

How Many Years have you worked at Penta?

3.8 years

What achievements at Penta are you the most proud of?

Certification and registration for ISO, development of new tubes for industry, and aggressiveness in the area of customer satisfaction.

What do you love most about your work?

The every day challenges. At Penta, every day is an excellent day.

What are your hobbies?

Reading and playing classic rock from the '60s and '70s

A Happy Accident

2010-09-03T15:58:00.000-07:00

A couple of days ago I was posting about giant microwave ovens and how they are used to process food. Just today there was a news article about the accidental invention of the microwave oven.

Get this, Percy Spencer, a Raytheon engineer (working for the company that aquired Penta in 1973) was testing one of the mangetrons, when he realized to his dismay that the candy bar he had in his pocket had been completely metled. Magnetrons are a type of electron tube that emits microwave radiation, so the engineer hypothesized that it was the magnetron that had done the melting. He tested his theory by placing popcorn kernels, followed by an egg near the magnetron. Both items cooked with incredible speed. In fact the egg blew up (perhaps where the expression, "egg on your face," comes from?).

It took a year to trap the microwave rays in a way that was useful for cooking. And now, are there foods that we don't microwave?

You can read all about it, and see a picture of one of the first commerical microwave ovens here.

Incidentally, would you cook in something called the "Radarange?"

Photo courtesy jmv

What a Wonderful History Part 2

2010-08-26T11:40:00.000-07:00

The Year: 1907

Sir Robert Baden-Powell founds the Boy Scouts with the first scout camp at Brownsea Island.

Indian Territory and Oklahoma Territory become Oklahoma and are admitted as the 46th U.S. state.

John Wayne, the American actor, is born.

Hershey milk-chocolate Kisses are introduced.

And New York inventor Lee de Forest improves the Fleming diode by adding an electrode. de Forest discovered that if he applied the signal from the wireless-telegraph antenna to the grid created by the added electrode he could obtain a much more sensitive detector of the signal. In fact the grid was changing, or modulating, the current flowing from the filament to the plate. This device, the audion, was the first successful electronic amplifier. It was the genesis of today's huge electronics industry.
So the next time you are sitting at that concert enjoying the electric guitar, remember that it was made possible by de Forest's modification.

Microwave Tubes in the News

2010-08-24T12:48:00.000-07:00

Yesterday there was a news item on the Business Wire about high powered microwave tubes, including those sold by Penta Labs. According to recent research, the microwave tube market although highly misunderstood and underrepresented, is estimated at over $1 billion.

Not this kind of microwave--

We're talking giant, industrial size and strength microwave oven. The kind that processes thousands of meatballs a minute. That means tomorrow morning when you crunch into your bacon you can be grateful for microwave tube technology.

The lead researcher is quoted as saying, “These specialized vacuum electron devices may at first seem anachronistic. But in some cases there is no other way to generate such high levels of RF power within an acceptably small space. Certain microwave and millimeter wave VEDs can generate megawatts, and it would take tens of thousands of transistors to do that.”

You can read the rest of the article here.

What a Wonderful History Part 1

2010-08-13T09:54:00.000-07:00

The Year: 1904

The US spends $10 million purchasing the Panama Canal Zone.

Midtown Manhattan is renamed Times Square after the famous New York newspaper.

Cy Young throws the first perfect game in American League History.

FIFA is founded in Paris.

And John Ambrose Fleming invents a device to convert an alternating current signal into a direct current. The "Fleming diode" was based on an effect that Thomas Edison discovered in 1880 while inventing the light bulb.
Fleming's diode was first used as a sensitive detector of the weak signals produced by the new wireless telegraph. Later (and even now), the diode vacuum tube was used to convert AC into DC in power supplies for electronic equipment. (And any one who travels from one AC loving country to another DC loving country really appreciates this. This invention has saved many a blow dryer and ipod.)
Fleming's invention would spark a competition among inventors to improve his diode. There would be many years with little success . . .

Constructing a Tube at Home

2010-08-04T10:58:00.000-07:00

I ran across this video of a French Radio Enthusiast constructing his own triode. It's 17 minutes long, and a fascinating study in making a single tube. The even better news is that for those of us who don't know how to cut or blow gas, we can purchase our tubes from Penta Labs. Check out the video below!

Fabrication d'une lampe triode
Uploaded by F2FO. - Discover more science and tech videos.

Vacuum Tubes in the News

2010-07-30T12:01:00.000-07:00

Today, an article on solar power caught my eye. Solar power has been a popular topic for a couple of years now as scientist have been working to discovering new and tweaking exisiting power sources for cleaner and more sustainable power.
This article was discussing that powerful vacuum tubes are being used to increase the effectiveness of solar heating systems. According to the article, "These powerful vacuum tube models pull in whatever solar energy is available even on cold or dull days and can absorb enough energy to provide hot water for the average household for up to 8 months." To see the rest of the article click here.
Earlier, a couple from Newbury MA used the same system to heat their water. You can read about that here.

RS3060CJ

2010-07-27T09:42:00.000-07:00

If you haven't already read the marketing update above about the RS3060CJ, please do. We've developed this tube with a pyrolytic graphite grid for increased reliability and productivity. And we're not the only ones who think so. Of course, we're excited about this new development and would love to share it with you.

If you'd like more information, feel free to contact us for a quote today!

Did you Know?

2010-07-20T10:42:00.000-07:00

The computer you're using could not have been built without power tubes. That's because the equipment used in the manufacture of memory chips is highly sensitive and cannot operate effectively with any fluctuation in energy levels. For this application power tubes are superior to semiconductors, which can't take the overload.

Dean McCarron, vice president of technology at In-Stat, a Scottsdale, Ariz., market research firm for the electronics industry said, "When you deal with megawatts of power, you just can't do it with semiconductors."

Welcome to the Blog

2010-07-14T15:39:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Penta Laboratories blog. Here you will be able to find updates on exciting new products, as well as news surrounding the world of electron tubes. Please feel free to sign up for the feed to this blog so as not to miss any of the offers!