Martin McCormick <martin@DC.CIS.OKSTATE.EDU> wrote:
>         I remember reading somewhere that a few of the early tube-type
> computers of the 1950's used CRT's as ram devices.  The method for storing
> and reading the display involved bouncing electrons off the phosphor as
> described for storage tube monitors.  I believe that the devices had to be
> refreshed just like dynamic RAM every so often to keep them from fading.

It was "Williams Tube" memory.  It did need to be refreshed, and did not
acchieve tremendous density.  It also was not terribly reliable.  It is
rumored that the first video games were played on these; kinda neat having
the frame buffer and display in the same device.

I wonder how difficult it would be to make such a thing now?  And use a PIC
to drive it, of course!

Cheers,
Eric