This Soviet Nuclear Counter Looks Absolutely INSANE

Six glowing tubes, almost 60 years old, and still counting! This bizarre-looking Soviet nuclear instrument seems like something from another planet. Meet the PP-16, a Soviet pulse counter manufactured in 1968. Instead of digital displays, it uses six fascinating gas-discharge tubes called dekatrons. And here's the incredible part: these glowing tubes don't just display numbers — they actually perform the counting! In this video, we'll see this remarkable piece of vintage technology in action, explore how it works, and take it apart for some much-needed cleaning. We'll also look at the role of pulse counters in radiation laboratories, including their use during the Chornobyl disaster. By 1986, the PP-16 was already outdated technology, but today it's a fascinating reminder of an era when electronics looked almost like science fiction. And yes, this particular instrument still works! What would YOU like us to count with it? Share your ideas in the comments — we might actually try one of them in a future video! Subscribe for more unusual Soviet technology, forgotten nuclear equipment, and discoveries from Chornobyl's past. Join us on Patreon:   / thechernobylfamily   #Chernobyl #SovietTechnology #VintageElectronics