Pretty interesting! I thought maybe some part of it would be automated, but it's pretty much all by hand!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8n4WVRKkmww

If you really want to see vacuum tubes being made by hand, watch these videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gl-QMuUQhVM

That's part one and there's a part two as well. Someone posted these years ago and it's fascinating to watch.

Very interesting.  There are so many manual steps. 
 
I'm glad they are still making them.  But with all that manual labor, and software emulations getting better and better, you've got to wonder at what point will these manufacturers thrown in the towel because the lack of demand. 

Truly amazing to watch. I want to do glass blowing now!

I think I saw that one a few years ago, Dean. Even more manual work in that one!

Loved the amp with the 2 big tubes on it... that was a thing of beauty. 

At no point did they show the secret process wherein the pixie dust is inserted.

:-)

It's the coating on the cathode.

:-)

bitflipper


At no point did they show the secret process wherein the pixie dust is inserted.

Pixie dust isn't part of the manufacturing.  It is bestowed on the valve during the QA process if the product is judged to be worthy by the faeries there.

They don't waste that stuff on defective goods.

Matt, Dean - I just watched all three videos, incredible stuff.

Makes the valves somehow seem more 'organic', for want of a better word. In much the same way as an old steam locomotive seems more 'alive' than a diesel or electric.