A method for making the electron emission apparatus is provided. In the method, an insulating substrate including a surface is provided. A number of grids are formed on the insulating substrate and defined by a plurality of electrodes. A number of conductive linear structures are fabricated and supported by the electrodes. The number of conductive linear structures are substantially parallel to the surface and each of the grids contains at least one of the conductive linear structures. The conductive linear structures are cut to form a number of electron emitters. Each of the electron emitters has two electron emission ends defining a gap therebetween.