As an electronic enthusiast, I have always been fascinated by the history of electronic measurement and the instruments that were used to make those measurements. One instrument that has caught my attention is the Du Mont 224-A Oscilloscope. This cathode ray oscilloscope was produced by Allen B. Du Mont Laboratories during the 1940s and 1950s and was known for its high sensitivity, stability, and precision.
Recently, I had the opportunity to acquire a Du Mont 224-A Oscilloscope and I decided to take on the project of restoring it to its former glory. This blog series will document my journey of restoring this vintage instrument and will provide a glimpse into the history of electronic measurement.
The Du Mont 224-A Oscilloscope was an advanced and reliable instrument that was widely used in industry, research, and education for the measurement and analysis of electrical signals. It was used in the development of radar systems during World War II, as well as in the early days of television broadcasting. It’s a piece of history that I am honored to bring back to life.
Recently, I had the opportunity to acquire a Du Mont 224-A Oscilloscope and I decided to take on the project of restoring it to its former glory. Unfortunately, it seems that the instrument has been stored for a long time in a very humid area, resulting in rust and corrosion damage on the enclosure and front plate. However, all of the original knobs are still present. This will be an exciting but challenging restoration project, and I look forward to documenting my journey and sharing it with you.
Additional Resources:
Original Operator’s Manual at the Oscilloscope Museum.
Additional Information is found at the Radio Museum.
Essay: Oscilloscope Development, 1943-57 by Peter D. Hiscocks
I intend on posting updates to the restoration to a Twitter Thread.