William G Thistle

Title: William G. Thistle and an Ultraviolet-Initiated Gas Discharge Display

Introduction

William G. Thistle is an inventor associated with Manotick, Canada. His recorded patent describes a visual display matrix that uses ultraviolet light to initiate gas discharges, allowing display elements to remain illuminated without a separate memory or storage mechanism. Thistle is credited with 1 patent.

Latest Patents

Thistle’s patent, “Ultra Violet Initiated Gas Discharge Visual Display Matrix,” presents a large-area display made up of individual gas-discharge elements. Ultraviolet light directed at selected areas causes photo-emissive material on the cathode to emit electrons, initiating discharges in the corresponding elements. Each element remains in its discharge state while voltage is applied to a common anode, so the display does not require associated memory to keep information visible.

The described structure includes a conductive cathode coated with low-work-function photo-emissive material, an insulating layer with apertures, and individual anodes with aligned holes. These components are arranged between a base and an ultraviolet-permeable cover, with gas filling the apertures and voltage supplied to each anode.

Career Highlights

The patent record identifies Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, as Represented by the Minister, as the assignee. The invention’s central contribution is a display design in which ultraviolet illumination selects elements and electrical discharge sustains their visible state.

Collaborations

Joseph Guy Dionne is identified as Thistle’s coworker. The available information does not specify further details about their collaboration.

Conclusion

William G. Thistle’s patented display matrix combines ultraviolet-triggered electron emission with gas-discharge elements to present information without a separate storage mechanism.