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Submitted by andyprough on Wed, 09/09/2026 - 07:55

Build your own libre computer with 1950's era Soviet vacuum tubes

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Wed, 09/09/2026 - 07:55
andyprough
andyprough
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Joined: 02/12/2015

thetubecomputer.com is the daily adventures of one man named "Mike" in the UK who has built not just one, but three different tube computers with recycled 1950s Soviet vacuum tubes. A picture of his latest build is attached. It can do some 16-bit math processing, and can (possibly) play a flight simulator game. Screenshot of his tube computer from his video attached.

I'm assuming it is a completely libre setup with no non-free firmware.

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Wed, 09/09/2026 - 09:42
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jxself
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Joined: 09/13/2010

There's also a person named David in the USA building a vacuum tube computer:
https://redirect.invidious.io/playlist?list=PLnw98JPyObn0v-98gRV9PfzAQONTKxql3

And also restoring a vacuum tube computer:
https://redirect.invidious.io/playlist?list=PLnw98JPyObn3QSIwUz5Iv6NA1x-uGFqAa

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Wed, 09/09/2026 - 15:09
#2
Parodper
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Joined: 05/01/2020

He's just missing magnetic-core memory for the real 1950's feel.

I wonder how's the tube disposal rate, those things failed quite a bit under load.

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