While browsing Hackaday.io I found an opportunity to collaborate with [Muth] and we put Core Memory and Neon Pixels together. They seem to be made for each other:

[Muth] built a fantastic project which stands on its own with hundreds of hand-crafted Neon Pixels. Both the individually controlled pixels and the combined 8x8 arrays are works-of-art on their own. I thought they would make a great match with interactive core memory, so I made a "Neon Pixel Edition" prototype with help from [Muth].

Neither of us plan to make the Neon Pixel version available for sale, but it was a very satisfying project to combine our projects. Look for me at the next VCF and try it out!

BUILD YOUR OWN CORE64 + NEON PIXELS DEMO

If you'd like to make your own Neon Pixels, all of the details are available at Github. To hold the Neon Pixel module you will find the mechanical CAD available at OnShape. The Neon Pixels are connected to the Core64 Logic Board through SPI Data/Clock lines accessible on the bottom row of X1, the large double row header intended for the alternate use of an Adafruit 3.2 inch TFT board.

I have a limited quantity of the unpopulated Neon Pixel Edition core boards available which are slightly larger than the standard core board - contact me if you'd like one. You will need to populate the components and headers and create the wire extensions.

See the Core Board PCBA components list at Digi-Key.

And maybe some of these components at Digi-Key. 

The standard mainline demo firmware for Core64 has a #define to enable support for the Neon Pixels.

There are a few references to these INS-1 tubes on Hackaday. Sometimes they show up in Nixie tube clocks, and they go by various names like Nixie tubes, neon dot bulb, ИНС-1, neon lamps or bulbs. Seems like they were manufactured in the 80's, but I haven't found much information on them. If you know more about their history, please share that in the comments. In 2025 we met in person at Hackaday Europe, along with [Anders Nielsen} to show off the collaboration of Core64 + Neon Pixels + 65uino!

I'm still moving forward with the basic configuration of the Core64 kit which uses RGB LEDs:

Kits are available for sale at www.Core64.IO.