Strobing lights before/without a timer (like the 555)

[Braeden Hamson]

I've always wondered how blinking/strobing lights were made before things like the 555. Or to put it more simply is there a way to make a light blink without a 555 chip?

 

[Harald Kapp]

One simple version is here.
A relaxation oscillator can even be built with only one transistor, albeit a somewhat exotic unijunction transistor.

 

[Bluejets]

Most had one bulb similar to a glow switch ( fluro starter) in series with all the other lamps.
Used to dread Xmas time when all the rellies of the boss would bring in their tree lights to get fixed.
You can guess who copped that job....yep...the apprentice.....me