Energy & Power

The Museum's collections on energy and power illuminate the role of fire, steam, wind, water, electricity, and the atom in the nation's history. The artifacts include wood-burning stoves, water turbines, and windmills, as well as steam, gas, and diesel engines. Oil-exploration and coal-mining equipment form part of these collections, along with a computer that controlled a power plant and even bubble chambers—a tool of physicists to study protons, electrons, and other charged particles.

A special strength of the collections lies in objects related to the history of electrical power, including generators, batteries, cables, transformers, and early photovoltaic cells. A group of Thomas Edison's earliest light bulbs are a precious treasure. Hundreds of other objects represent the innumerable uses of electricity, from streetlights and railway signals to microwave ovens and satellite equipment.

An experimental high pressure sodium lamp with a clear arc tube. Clear tubes are more efficient than opaque tubes.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
An experimental high pressure sodium lamp with a clear arc tube. Clear tubes are more efficient than opaque tubes.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1980
Maker
General Electric
ID Number
1997.0388.09
accession number
1997.0388
catalog number
1997.0388.09
GE incandescent Lumiline lamp, green-coated, ca. 1936. Characteristics: Double-ended with steel disc-bases. C-8 tungsten filament, with glass-bead insulated support-hooks attached to a spine paralleling the filament. Tubular envelope with an enamel, green coating.
Description (Brief)
GE incandescent Lumiline lamp, green-coated, ca. 1936. Characteristics: Double-ended with steel disc-bases. C-8 tungsten filament, with glass-bead insulated support-hooks attached to a spine paralleling the filament. Tubular envelope with an enamel, green coating. Color lamps were displaced by the development of the fluorescent lamp, though clear and frosted are still available as of 1997.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1936
Maker
General Electric
ID Number
1997.0388.49
accession number
1997.0388
catalog number
1997.0388.49
A set of 19 incandescent decorative Christmas lamps with cords, about 1937. Lamps are wired into 3 separate strings which are plugged into a common terminal block. The strings are disposable, with strings being replaced as they burn-out.
Description (Brief)
A set of 19 incandescent decorative Christmas lamps with cords, about 1937. Lamps are wired into 3 separate strings which are plugged into a common terminal block. The strings are disposable, with strings being replaced as they burn-out. Characteristics: Lamps: Double-ended glass with a lead emerging from each end. C-8 tungsten filaments with soldered-crimp connectors. Tipless, oval-shape envelopes with seams running lengthwise (clamshell assembly). All but three are enamel coated: colors as follows: 2 white, 3 blue, 7 red, 3 green, 4 yellow. Three of the red lamps are spray-coated. Two of the strings have 6 lamps each; the broken string has 7. Cord-set: 6 black-insulated plastic (?) plug-sockets which insert into a plastic block. Jacket is a green woven-fabric. Each sting is a series circuit with a connector at each end. There is space for four strings in the block, but only three were found. The block-leads are wired to a two-prong plug with an black plastic housing. "Mazda [GE logo] Lamps" printed on each string's end-connectors. Paper found in the bag with the set reads: "1937 Disposable string set".
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1937
Maker
General Electric
ID Number
1997.0388.39
accession number
1997.0388
catalog number
1997.0388.39
GE incandescent Lumiline lamp, white-coated, ca. 1936. Characteristics: Double-ended with steel disc-bases. C-8 tungsten filament, with glass-bead insulated support-hooks attached to a spine paralleling the filament.
Description (Brief)
GE incandescent Lumiline lamp, white-coated, ca. 1936. Characteristics: Double-ended with steel disc-bases. C-8 tungsten filament, with glass-bead insulated support-hooks attached to a spine paralleling the filament. Spine is crimp-connected to lead on one end, other end has a glass-bead insulator connecting to lead. Filament is crimp-connected to a support hook / lead prior to this insulator. Tubular envelope, coated with a white enamel finish. White Lumilines were replaced by fluorescent lamps for most uses.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1936
Maker
General Electric
ID Number
1997.0388.52
accession number
1997.0388
catalog number
1997.0388.52
This high-pressure sodium lamp used a polycrystalline-alumina arc tube with monolithic seals.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This high-pressure sodium lamp used a polycrystalline-alumina arc tube with monolithic seals.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1981
Maker
General Electric
ID Number
1997.0388.10
accession number
1997.0388
catalog number
1997.0388.10
Flat fluorescent lamp with green phosphor used to back-light aircraft instrument panels.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Flat fluorescent lamp with green phosphor used to back-light aircraft instrument panels.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1942
Maker
General Electric
ID Number
1997.0388.45
accession number
1997.0388
catalog number
1997.0388.45
First generation "Mazda" tungsten lamp. GE used the"Mazda" name to differentiate this from older carbon lamps.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
First generation "Mazda" tungsten lamp. GE used the"Mazda" name to differentiate this from older carbon lamps.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1909
Maker
General Electric
ID Number
1997.0388.74
catalog number
1997.0388.74
accession number
1997.0388
Green “Mazda F” fluorescent lamp with disc-bases and clear ends. Conductive strip runs length of lamp.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Green “Mazda F” fluorescent lamp with disc-bases and clear ends. Conductive strip runs length of lamp.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1936
Maker
General Electric
ID Number
1997.0388.42
accession number
1997.0388
catalog number
1997.0388.42
In the wake of soaring energy prices in the 1970s, several manufacturers quickly introduced new lamp designs to meet a demand for efficient lighting devices.
Description
In the wake of soaring energy prices in the 1970s, several manufacturers quickly introduced new lamp designs to meet a demand for efficient lighting devices. General Electric mounted a circular fluorescent tube on an adapter that housed a starter and ballast, and that could screw into an ordinary fixture. Called the Circlite, this hybrid product was introduced to the public in 1976.
Since circular fluorescent tubes were already a mature product (originally developed in 1943), GE could take advantage of existing research data and production lines for the Circlite. Also, retailers and consumers were familiar with circular lamps, which eased resistance to the introduction of the new unit. The modular design allowed users to replace the tube when it failed, without having to replace the more expensive ballast package. Ultimately, GE and other manufacturers produced several versions of the lamp and refined the product. A light-weight electronic ballast replaced the heavier, less-efficient magnetic ballast used in this 1978 model, for example. As of today Circlites remain in production.
Lamp characteristics: A modular fluorescent lamp with three components: ballast, mounting frame, and lamp. Ballast: aluminum medium-screw base with brass contact and a glass insulator. A plastic skirt houses a magnetic ballast and a receptacle for a circular fluorescent lamp frame. Mounting frame: a three-arm plastic frame (made in two halves) with a sliding switch to release the ballast. The ballast mounts at center of mounting frame. Lamp: circular fluorescent tube with soft white colored phosphor.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca. 1978
Date made
ca 1978
manufacturer
General Electric
ID Number
1997.0388.25
accession number
1997.0388
catalog number
1997.0388.25
This fixture was part of a sales demonstration kit for early fluorescent lamps. The unit has a metal case that’s open on two sides and includes a ballast, two fluorescent lamp-holders, two Lumiline lamp-holders, a toggle switch and a ten-foot power cord.
Description (Brief)
This fixture was part of a sales demonstration kit for early fluorescent lamps. The unit has a metal case that’s open on two sides and includes a ballast, two fluorescent lamp-holders, two Lumiline lamp-holders, a toggle switch and a ten-foot power cord. The power cord is not original and has been spliced onto the unit. Linear incandescent lamps called Lumiline were popular in the 1930s. Their end-caps consisted of a flat disc that snapped into the holder. GE engineers designed two types of fluorescent lamps with that style connector so as to save money by using existing production equipment.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1938
maker
General Electric
ID Number
1998.0231.19
accession number
1998.0231
catalog number
1998.0231.19
A GE incandescent lamp for underwater use, circa 1957. [See GE 1957 catalog pp. 14, 21.] Catalog indicates that the unit's list price was $40, rated life was 50 hours, and it was designed "to withstand 300 lbs. of water pressure." Characteristics: Brass tube base (1.25" dia.
Description (Brief)
A GE incandescent lamp for underwater use, circa 1957. [See GE 1957 catalog pp. 14, 21.] Catalog indicates that the unit's list price was $40, rated life was 50 hours, and it was designed "to withstand 300 lbs. of water pressure." Characteristics: Brass tube base (1.25" dia. x 6" L) originally made with a 3" rubber-coated cable lead. Lead on this unit has been cut to 1.25". Two 1/4" holes are punched near the bottom. C-5 tungsten filament with six upper and five lower supports. The ends of the filament are welded to the leads. Glass support-mount is attached to leads with two wires. Tungsten powder is loose in lamp to clean the inner lamp wall of tungsten boiled-off the filament. Tipless, G-25 envelope. The patent for the tungsten powder cleaning technique is US1809661, "Electric Lamp," issued to GE's Daniel K. Wright on 9 June 1931.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1957
Maker
General Electric
ID Number
1997.0388.21
accession number
1997.0388
catalog number
1997.0388.21
GE incandescent Lumiline lamp, clear, dated 1934. Characteristics: Double-ended with steel disc-bases (early style). C-8 tungsten filament, with 8 glass-bead insulated support-hooks attached to a spine paralleling the filament. Center support attached to spine at lamp mid-point.
Description (Brief)
GE incandescent Lumiline lamp, clear, dated 1934. Characteristics: Double-ended with steel disc-bases (early style). C-8 tungsten filament, with 8 glass-bead insulated support-hooks attached to a spine paralleling the filament. Center support attached to spine at lamp mid-point. Spine is crimp-connected to lead on one end, other end has a glass-bead insulator connecting to lead. Filament is crimp-connected to a support hook / lead prior to this insulator. Tubular envelope. Clear Lumilines were often used in cove lighting for decorative accents as late as the 1990s.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1934
Maker
General Electric
ID Number
1997.0388.51
accession number
1997.0388
catalog number
1997.0388.51
An experimental high-pressure sodium lamp having an unusual A-shape envelope with diffuser-coating.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
An experimental high-pressure sodium lamp having an unusual A-shape envelope with diffuser-coating.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1975
Maker
General Electric
ID Number
1997.0388.13
accession number
1997.0388
catalog number
1997.0388.13
A experimental high-pressure sodium lamp. Polycrystalline-alumina arc tube with niobium cap seals.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
A experimental high-pressure sodium lamp. Polycrystalline-alumina arc tube with niobium cap seals.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1975
Maker
General Electric
ID Number
1997.0388.12
accession number
1997.0388
catalog number
1997.0388.12
A metal-halide lamp using a frameless design so that the frame mount does not pass alongside the arc tube.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
A metal-halide lamp using a frameless design so that the frame mount does not pass alongside the arc tube.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1980
Maker
General Electric
ID Number
1997.0388.06
accession number
1997.0388
catalog number
1997.0388.06
A metal-halide lamp that could be installed in a base-down position without affecting starting characteristics.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
A metal-halide lamp that could be installed in a base-down position without affecting starting characteristics.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1980
Maker
General Electric
ID Number
1997.0388.04
accession number
1997.0388
catalog number
1997.0388.04
Thomas Edison and others considered element number 6, carbon, ideal for lamp filaments in part because it has the highest melting point of any element. Element number 74, tungsten, has the next highest melting point but it then existed only as a powder.
Description
Thomas Edison and others considered element number 6, carbon, ideal for lamp filaments in part because it has the highest melting point of any element. Element number 74, tungsten, has the next highest melting point but it then existed only as a powder. Attempts to make it into a workable form failed until early in the 1900s when a burst of invention occurred in Europe. A pressing technique called "sintering" (squeezing a material into a dense mass) was adopted by several inventors.
The most commercially successful design proved to be that of Dr. Alexander Just and Franz Hanaman of Austria. Their work on sintering tungsten was based on a prior sintering process developed by Carl Auer von Welsbach for his filament made of osmium. Just and Hanaman made a tungsten and organic paste, squirted it through a die, baked out the organic material, then sintered the tungsten in a mix of gasses. The resulting filament gave about 8 lumens per watt and lasted 800 hours.
Another Austrian, Dr. Hans Kutzel, used an electric arc to make a tungsten and water paste. He then pressed, baked, and sintered the tungsten in a manner similar to Just and Hanaman's procedure. Yet another pair of Austrians, Fritz Blau and Hermann Remane, adapted the osmium lamp process (they worked for Welsbach) by making a filament from an osmium and tungsten mix. They soon changed their "Osram" lamp filament to tungsten only. (The German word for tungsten is wolfram.)
All three filaments were brittle and collectively known as "non-ductile" filaments. Individual filaments could not be made long enough to give the proper electrical resistance, so lamps needed several filaments connected end-to-end. U.S. companies quickly licensed rights to all of the non-ductile patents. This particular lamp was made under license by General Electric and sent to the National Bureau of Standards for use as a standard lamp.
Lamp characteristics: Medium-screw base with glass insulator. Five single-arch tungsten filaments (in series) with 5 upper and 8 lower support hooks. The stem assembly features soldered connectors, Siemens-type press seal, and a cotton insulator. Tipped, straight-sided envelope with taper at neck.
Date made
ca 1908
date made
ca. 1908
maker
General Electric
ID Number
1992.0342.16
catalog number
1992.0342.16
accession number
1992.0342
GE incandescent Lumiline lamp, orange-coated, ca. 1936. Characteristics: Double-ended with steel disc-bases. C-8 tungsten filament, with glass-bead insulated support-hooks attached to a spine paralleling the filament. Tubular envelope with an enamel, orange coating.
Description (Brief)
GE incandescent Lumiline lamp, orange-coated, ca. 1936. Characteristics: Double-ended with steel disc-bases. C-8 tungsten filament, with glass-bead insulated support-hooks attached to a spine paralleling the filament. Tubular envelope with an enamel, orange coating. Color lamps were displaced by the development of the fluorescent lamp, though clear and frosted were still available as of 1997.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1936
Maker
General Electric
ID Number
1997.0388.50
accession number
1997.0388
catalog number
1997.0388.50
This set of six fluorescent lamps in a lined, cloth wrap was part of a demonstration kit that General Electric sales people used to introduce the new product. When originally introduced, fluorescent lamps came in assorted colors and four sizes.
Description (Brief)
This set of six fluorescent lamps in a lined, cloth wrap was part of a demonstration kit that General Electric sales people used to introduce the new product. When originally introduced, fluorescent lamps came in assorted colors and four sizes. The pockets in this wrap held nine lamps of 1-inch diameter and three 1.25-inch diameter. The lamps in this wrap include red, gold, two greens and two shades of white. One of the green lamps is not original to the wrap since it lacks the Mazda trade name.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1937
maker
General Electric
ID Number
1997.0388.32
accession number
1997.0388
catalog number
1997.0388.32
An early tungsten halogen lamp used in an aircraft beacon.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
An early tungsten halogen lamp used in an aircraft beacon.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1965
Maker
General Electric
ID Number
1997.0388.20
accession number
1997.0388
catalog number
1997.0388.20
A metal halide lamp with an arc tube that has a reflective coating on both ends,Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
A metal halide lamp with an arc tube that has a reflective coating on both ends,
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1975
Maker
General Electric
ID Number
1997.0388.05
accession number
1997.0388
catalog number
1997.0388.05
A metal-halide lamp using a frameless design so that the frame mount does not pass alongside the arc tube.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
A metal-halide lamp using a frameless design so that the frame mount does not pass alongside the arc tube.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1980
Maker
General Electric
ID Number
1997.0388.07
accession number
1997.0388
catalog number
1997.0388.07
Experimental fluorescent lamp with phosphor of varying thickness. Three-phase phosphor coating on inner-wall.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Experimental fluorescent lamp with phosphor of varying thickness. Three-phase phosphor coating on inner-wall.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1974
Maker
General Electric
ID Number
1997.0388.44
accession number
1997.0388
catalog number
1997.0388.44
Pink “Mazda F” fluorescent lamp with disc-bases and phosphor on one half of lamp. Conductive strip runs length of lamp.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Pink “Mazda F” fluorescent lamp with disc-bases and phosphor on one half of lamp. Conductive strip runs length of lamp.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1936
Maker
General Electric
ID Number
1997.0388.40
accession number
1997.0388
catalog number
1997.0388.40

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