I don't see anything in the write-up that requires a DSO--an storage tube (analog) oscilloscope should suffice. Most storage tube oscilloscopes supported singl

I don't see anything in the write-up that requires a DSO--an storage tube (analog) oscilloscope should suffice. Most storage tube oscilloscopes supported single sweep capture in bi-stable mode. That is, you could clear the screen, reset the timebase, and capture the trace of a single trigger event. In bi-stable mode, the image should last hours. Some models (like the Tek 7313) even allowed the top and bottom of the screen to be set to storage or live independently. On top of that, most scope camera shutters could be set up to automatically open during the forward seep (called "single sweep" on Tek cameras). That allows you to set up the scope, and walk away while you wait for the rare event to occur. Tektronix even sold delay lines (big coils of hardline coax) with trigger pick-offs for the express purpose of displaying before-the-trigger waveforms. No question that DSOs make this all easier, but saying it was impossible is a bit of a stretch.