An oscilloscope measures two things:
- Voltage
- Time (and with time, often, frequency)
An electron beam is swept across a phosphorescent screen horizontally (X direction) at a known rate (perhaps one sweep per millisecond). An input signal is used to change the position of the beam in the Y direction. The trace left behind can be used to measure the voltage of the input signal (off the Y axis) and the duration or frequency can be read off the X axis.
Here are some interesting links:
- How Television Works
- How Guitars Work
- How Power Grids Work
- How Biometrics Works
- The Oscilloscope
- Virtual Oscilloscope
- Oscilloscope FAQ
- Types of Oscilloscope