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.

Demonstration electrodeless selenium and sulfur bulb powered by microwave energy. Selenium is predominate.
Description (Brief)
Demonstration electrodeless selenium and sulfur bulb powered by microwave energy. Selenium is predominate.
date made
1996
maker
Fusion Lighting, Inc.
ID Number
1996.0359.05
catalog number
1996.0359.05
accession number
1996.0359
This lamp was mass-produced for the 50th anniversary of Edison’s invention.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This lamp was mass-produced for the 50th anniversary of Edison’s invention.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1929
associated date
1879 10 21
associated person
Edison, Thomas Alva
ID Number
EM.320684
catalog number
320684
accession number
242716
Experimental tungsten lamp with mercury pool. This lamp’s purpose is unclear but it appears similar early sunlamps.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Experimental tungsten lamp with mercury pool. This lamp’s purpose is unclear but it appears similar early sunlamps.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930
maker
General Electric Lighting Company
ID Number
1997.0388.62
catalog number
1997.0388.62
accession number
1997.0388
An early commercial Edison lamp. The bamboo filament is attached to the lead wires with copper-plated connectors.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
An early commercial Edison lamp. The bamboo filament is attached to the lead wires with copper-plated connectors.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1883
maker
Edison Lamp Company
ID Number
EM.318643
catalog number
318643
accession number
232729
Experimental incandescent lamp used at the U.S. Government Torpedo Station in Newport, Rhode Island.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Experimental incandescent lamp used at the U.S. Government Torpedo Station in Newport, Rhode Island.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1880
maker
Farmer, Moses G.
ID Number
EM.181978
catalog number
181978
accession number
2015.0173
Mock-up of experimental tungsten halogen Gemini lamp with two 60 volt miniature halogen capsules wired in series.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Mock-up of experimental tungsten halogen Gemini lamp with two 60 volt miniature halogen capsules wired in series.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1974-01-17
maker
Fridrich, Elmer G.
ID Number
1996.0147.10
catalog number
1996.0147.10
accession number
1996.0147
Experimental mercury vapor lamp with clear envelope, rated at 250 watt. The arc-tube is breached in this unit.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Experimental mercury vapor lamp with clear envelope, rated at 250 watt. The arc-tube is breached in this unit.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1951
maker
Westinghouse Electric Corp.
ID Number
1997.0389.46
accession number
1997.0389
catalog number
1997.0389.46
A coiled-tungsten filament lamp designed for use in the base-down position. Lamp has a pear-shaped envelope.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
A coiled-tungsten filament lamp designed for use in the base-down position. Lamp has a pear-shaped envelope.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1915
maker
General Electric Company
ID Number
EM.307549
catalog number
307549
accession number
68492
Production miniature glow-lamp filled with either neon or argon. Used as indicator lamp.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Production miniature glow-lamp filled with either neon or argon. Used as indicator lamp.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1970
maker
General Electric Company
ID Number
1996.0147.55
accession number
1996.0147
catalog number
1996.0147.55
A coiled-tungsten filament 100 watt lamp with a blue glass pear-shaped envelope. Known as a “daylight blue” lamp.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
A coiled-tungsten filament 100 watt lamp with a blue glass pear-shaped envelope. Known as a “daylight blue” lamp.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
maker
General Electric Company
ID Number
EM.307553
catalog number
307553
accession number
68492
Experimental LEAP (Linear Exhaust And Processing) tungsten halogen lamp for a production method that used a laser.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Experimental LEAP (Linear Exhaust And Processing) tungsten halogen lamp for a production method that used a laser.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1972
maker
General Electric Lighting Company
ID Number
1996.0082.02
catalog number
1996.0082.02
accession number
1996.0082
Second generation tungsten lamp with a pear-shaped envelope.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Second generation tungsten lamp with a pear-shaped envelope.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1914
maker
General Electric Company
ID Number
EM.316017
catalog number
316017
accession number
223095
A lamp with Baltimore Gas & Electric anniversary wrapper. Mailed to customers as part of a load-building program.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
A lamp with Baltimore Gas & Electric anniversary wrapper. Mailed to customers as part of a load-building program.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1966
1966
maker
Westinghouse Electric Corp.
ID Number
1997.0387.19
accession number
1997.0387
catalog number
1997.0387.19
Production low pressure sodium (LPS) lamp in original package. LPS lamps are the most energy-efficient lamps sold.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Production low pressure sodium (LPS) lamp in original package. LPS lamps are the most energy-efficient lamps sold.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1996
maker
Philips Lighting Company
ID Number
1997.0389.05
accession number
1997.0389
catalog number
1997.0389.05
Laboratory discharge lamp designed to emit the spectrum of the element rubidium.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Laboratory discharge lamp designed to emit the spectrum of the element rubidium.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1960
maker
Osram
ID Number
2001.0033.05
accession number
2001.0033
catalog number
2001.0033.05
Invented by Walther Nernst, this incandescent lamp could operate in open air and did not violate Edison’s patents. The housing is sectioned for study of the internal ballast resistance mechanism. The glower consists of six iron rods coated with rare-earth elements.
Description (Brief)
Invented by Walther Nernst, this incandescent lamp could operate in open air and did not violate Edison’s patents. The housing is sectioned for study of the internal ballast resistance mechanism. The glower consists of six iron rods coated with rare-earth elements. The coating gives off light when heated and protects the rod from oxidation.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1902
associated person
Nernst, Walther
maker
Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Co.
ID Number
EM.214330
catalog number
214330
accession number
38852
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
Experimental high-intensity discharge lamp. Radio-frequency energy excited gas in the electrodeless arc-tube.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Experimental high-intensity discharge lamp. Radio-frequency energy excited gas in the electrodeless arc-tube.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1988
maker
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
ID Number
1992.0553.12.1
catalog number
1992.0553.12.1
accession number
1992.0553
Miniature metal-halide lamp designed for indoor use. This was GE's competitive response to compact fluorescent lamps introduced by Philips and Westinghouse, and it failed in the market.
Description (Brief)
Miniature metal-halide lamp designed for indoor use. This was GE's competitive response to compact fluorescent lamps introduced by Philips and Westinghouse, and it failed in the market.
date made
ca 1981
maker
General Electric Company
ID Number
1996.0084.01
accession number
1996.0084
catalog number
1996.0084.01
Edison lamp with carbon filament and frosted envelope. Unit was long-ago welded to a corner-iron for display.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Edison lamp with carbon filament and frosted envelope. Unit was long-ago welded to a corner-iron for display.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1883
Maker
Edison
maker
Edison Electric Light Company
ID Number
1997.0388.61
catalog number
1997.0388.61
accession number
1997.0388
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
Experimental lamp made to test the effects of mercury-iodide fill gas in an arc lamp.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Experimental lamp made to test the effects of mercury-iodide fill gas in an arc lamp.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1962
maker
Fridrich, Elmer G.
ID Number
1996.0147.08
accession number
1996.0147
catalog number
1996.0147.08
Experimental “Electronic Halarc” bulb without electronics module. Arc tube is mounted at a 45 degree angle.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Experimental “Electronic Halarc” bulb without electronics module. Arc tube is mounted at a 45 degree angle.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1980
maker
Anderson, John M.
ID Number
1998.0050.05
accession number
1998.0050
catalog number
1998.0050.05
Experimental mercury vapor lamp rated at 1000 watts. Typewritten label indicates a test run of "12,120 hours.”Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Experimental mercury vapor lamp rated at 1000 watts. Typewritten label indicates a test run of "12,120 hours.”
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1950
maker
Westinghouse Electric Corp.
ID Number
1997.0389.44
accession number
1997.0389
catalog number
1997.0389.44

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