The RCA Selectron -- Machlett Laboratories



Machlett Laboratories of Springdale, Massachusetts, is known primarily for their developments in X-ray and high voltage / high power tubes. But the Cold War mentality reflected some of the World War II security plans: Whereas Varian Associates opened a facility in Utah -- far inland from their coastal California facility -- both Convair and Hughes contributed their expertise so that Machlett Laboratories could becone a second source on the east coast for the specialized display devices which were key components in the AN/FSQ-7 SAGE program. So, Machlett Laboratories went into production of the Convair C19K Charactron and the Hughes 6577 Typotron... both rebranded as Machlett Scriptrons.

Note the price list revealing the 1959 "retail" prices for both devices being over $2000.




Machlett Cathode Press, 1958 article Machlett Cathode Press, 1958 article







Copyright 1958 Machlett Laboratories
All Rights Reserved



Machlett Laboratories 1958 catalog excerpt Machlett Laboratories 1958 catalog excerpt

Copyright 1958 Machlett Laboratories
All Rights Reserved





Machlett Laboratories 1959 employment ad Machlett Laboratories 1959 employment ad