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.

Experimental linear fluorescent lamp with rare-earth / aluminate phosphors and new small electrodes.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Experimental linear fluorescent lamp with rare-earth / aluminate phosphors and new small electrodes.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1995
Maker
Philips Lighting BV
ID Number
1996.0166.02
catalog number
1996.0166.02
accession number
1996.0166
Sample of halophosphor powder used in fluorescent lamps. Invented in 1942 and replaced by rare earth phosphors.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Sample of halophosphor powder used in fluorescent lamps. Invented in 1942 and replaced by rare earth phosphors.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1995
Maker
Philips Lighting BV
ID Number
1996.0166.04
catalog number
1996.0166.04
accession number
1996.0166
Experimental linear fluorescent lamp with rare-earth / aluminate phosphors to investigate very thin tubes.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Experimental linear fluorescent lamp with rare-earth / aluminate phosphors to investigate very thin tubes.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1981
Maker
Philips Lighting BV
ID Number
1996.0166.01
catalog number
1996.0166.01
accession number
1996.0166
Sample of YOX (Yttrium Oxide Europium) phosphor. Glows red when exposed to ultraviolet light.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Sample of YOX (Yttrium Oxide Europium) phosphor. Glows red when exposed to ultraviolet light.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1995
Maker
Philips Lighting BV
ID Number
1996.0166.07
catalog number
1996.0166.07
accession number
1996.0166
Sample of CBT (Cerium gadolinium magnesium Borate Terbium) phosphor. Glows green when exposed to ultraviolet light.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Sample of CBT (Cerium gadolinium magnesium Borate Terbium) phosphor. Glows green when exposed to ultraviolet light.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1995
Maker
Philips Lighting BV
ID Number
1996.0166.06
catalog number
1996.0166.06
accession number
1996.0166
Sinusoidal fluorescent lamp with rare-earth / aluminate phosphors and long arc path.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Sinusoidal fluorescent lamp with rare-earth / aluminate phosphors and long arc path.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1995
Maker
Philips Lighting BV
ID Number
1996.0166.03
catalog number
1996.0166.03
accession number
1996.0166
Sinusoidal fluorescent lamp with rare-earth / aluminate phosphors and long arc path. Broken during shipment.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Sinusoidal fluorescent lamp with rare-earth / aluminate phosphors and long arc path. Broken during shipment.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1995
Maker
Philips Lighting BV
ID Number
1996.3049.01
catalog number
1996.3049.01
nonaccession number
1996.3049
Sample of BAM (Barium Magnesium Aluminate) phosphor. Glows blue when exposed to ultraviolet light.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Sample of BAM (Barium Magnesium Aluminate) phosphor. Glows blue when exposed to ultraviolet light.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1995
Maker
Philips Lighting BV
ID Number
1996.0166.05
catalog number
1996.0166.05
accession number
1996.0166

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