They had a tube tester at Graham Electronics in the Glendale Mall. Graham’s was the local version of Radio Shack before Radio Shack came to town and put them out of business. Same with Vonnegut’s.
So big fish eat little fish then die of indigestion is not a new thing. It is the natural order of things.
Just the other day I was looking at a box of vacuum tubes I have. I should try to sell them on ebay.