Abstract: A plasma display device is provided with a gas discharge device which is filled with hydrogen as an ionizable gas and contains an aluminum cathode which is maintained continuously coated during the gas discharge with a film of an aluminum oxide which is either resistant to the hydrogen gas discharge, or the non-resistant portions of which are re-formed into the oxide by means of an additive. This plasma display device can be provided for flat picture screens, particularly of television sets, because during the required life of the gas discharge device, a premature rise of the operating voltage is prevented and, at the same time, there is little sputtering effect.