Energy & Power

Gasoline Pump

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.

Date: 1980s

Prototype Heat-Mirror Tungsten Lamp

During the 1970s, energy crises lamp makers scrambled to develop products that would be more energy efficient. One manufacturer, Duro-Test, began working with researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) on an improved version of the ordinary incandescent lamp.
Description
During the 1970s, energy crises lamp makers scrambled to develop products that would be more energy efficient. One manufacturer, Duro-Test, began working with researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) on an improved version of the ordinary incandescent lamp. The resulting product was called the "MI-T-Wattsaver" and was produced by the company from 1981 through 1989.
The basic concept seemed simple. The hotter a tungsten filament operates, the more efficient it becomes. Most of the energy emitted by the filament is in the form of invisible infrared rays that we feel as heat. If some of that heat could be directed back at the filament to raise its temperature, the lamp would give more light with no additional electricity needed. The researchers at Duro-Test and MIT called this concept a heat-mirror. They developed a special coating that would allow visible light to pass while reflecting infrared back to the filament, and put the coating on the inside of the glass bulb.
The concept worked but problems emerged. Tests showed that the coating aged with use, reducing the amount of heat reflected to the filament. The lamp was also difficult to make since the coating needed to be precisely applied and the filament needed to be mounted exactly in the center of the round bulb. As the price of compact fluorescent lamps fell in the late 1980s, Duro-Test decided to discontinue the MI-T-Wattsaver. The heat-mirror concept continues in use today in some tungsten-halogen lamps though.
The lamp seen here is a prototype sent to the U.S. Department of Energy for testing and evaluation in 1981.
Lamp characteristics: The piece has two sections-the lamp itself and a base adapter. The lamp has a brass bi-pin base (1/2" pin spacing with exhaust tube in between). Tungsten filament (broken) in CC-8 configuration with crimp connectors. A metal disc inside bottom of envelope may serve as a heat shield (the base pins pass through this disc). Tipless, G-24 glass envelope made in two halves. Both halves have an interior coating of infrared-reflecting film. The base adapter has a brass medium-screw shell, the insulator is part of a three-piece plastic skirt. Twist-lock receptacle on top connects to lamp.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1980
date made
ca. 1980
collaborator
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
maker
DURO-TEST Corporation
ID Number
1992.0553.09
catalog number
1992.0553.09
accession number
1992.0553

Circular Fluorescent Lamp

"Econo-Miser Luma-Circle" fluorescent lamp. Lamp is designed to replace an incandescent lamp in a table fixture.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
"Econo-Miser Luma-Circle" fluorescent lamp. Lamp is designed to replace an incandescent lamp in a table fixture.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1984
maker
Philips Lighting Company
ID Number
1997.0389.35
catalog number
1997.0389.35
accession number
1997.0389

Short Arc Discharge Lamp

"Brite-Arc" short arc lamp rated at 2500 watts.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
"Brite-Arc" short arc lamp rated at 2500 watts.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1980
maker
GTE Sylvania, Inc.
ID Number
1998.0005.11
catalog number
1998.0005.11
accession number
1998.0005

Modular Fluorescent Lamp

GE fluorescent lamp designed to replace an incandescent lamp in a typical fixture.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
GE fluorescent lamp designed to replace an incandescent lamp in a typical fixture.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1978
ca 1980
maker
General Electric Lighting Company
ID Number
1992.0553.07
catalog number
1992.0553.07
accession number
1992.0553

Metal Halide Lamp

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

High pressure sodium lamp

"Lumalux" high pressure sodium lamp rated at 400 watts. Often used for street-lighting.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
"Lumalux" high pressure sodium lamp rated at 400 watts. Often used for street-lighting.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1985
maker
Sylvania Electric Products Inc.
ID Number
1998.0005.18
catalog number
1998.0005.18
accession number
1998.0005

Experimental Metal Halide Lamp

Experimental single-ended metal halide lamp. For projection use.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Experimental single-ended metal halide lamp. For projection use.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1985
maker
GTE Sylvania, Inc.
ID Number
1998.0005.26
catalog number
1998.0005.26
accession number
1998.0005

High Pressure Sodium Lamp

"Lumalux" high pressure sodium lamp rated at 250 watts for base-down use. Foil wraps around end-seals.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
"Lumalux" high pressure sodium lamp rated at 250 watts for base-down use. Foil wraps around end-seals.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1980
maker
GTE Sylvania, Inc.
ID Number
1998.0005.15
catalog number
1998.0005.15
accession number
1998.0005

Tungsten Filament Lamps

Four incandescent lamps with "Soft White" coating. In original package. Rated at 40 watts.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Four incandescent lamps with "Soft White" coating. In original package. Rated at 40 watts.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1985
maker
Philips Lighting Company
ID Number
1997.0389.16
accession number
1997.0389
catalog number
1997.0389.16

Experimental High Pressure Sodium Lamp

A type SON/T high pressure sodium lamp containing a large polycrystalline-alumina arc tube with monolithic seals.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
A type SON/T high pressure sodium lamp containing a large polycrystalline-alumina arc tube with monolithic seals.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1980
maker
Philips Lighting BV
ID Number
1997.0388.14
accession number
1997.0388
catalog number
1997.0388.14

Tungsten Filament Lamps

Two incandescent lamps with "Soft White" coating. In original package. Rated at 15 watts.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Two incandescent lamps with "Soft White" coating. In original package. Rated at 15 watts.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1985
maker
Philips Lighting Company
ID Number
1997.0389.20
accession number
1997.0389
catalog number
1997.0389.20

Integral compact fluorescent lamp

Thomas Edison began selling his incandescent lamp in 1880 and only a few years later introduced a version with a silver coating on the back that served as a reflector.
Description
Thomas Edison began selling his incandescent lamp in 1880 and only a few years later introduced a version with a silver coating on the back that served as a reflector. Almost exactly 100 years later (1981) Philips began selling their SL-18 compact fluorescent lamp and within a few years introduced a version with a built-in reflector—the lamp seen here.
Reflector lamps have been most often sold as either spot lights that throw a narrow beam of light, or as flood lights that throw a broader beam. Engineers alter the shape of the reflector to create different beam patterns. In an incandescent lamp they typically place the filament at a focal point so as to get as much light as possible to travel along the path they've designed. Making a compact fluorescent reflector lamp was something of a challenge since the folded-tube that radiates the light is long and is not considered "a point-source" of light. The ridges seen on the outside of the silver reflector also appear inside and help direct the light from the tube out of the lamp.
Lamp characteristics: Brass, medium-screw base with plastic skirt that houses a magnetic ballast, and a starter. Fluorescent tube includes two electrodes, mercury, and a phosphor coating. An R-shaped plastic envelope serves as a reflector and is enclosed with a plastic cover. Rating: 18 watts, 120 volts.
Date made
ca 1985
date made
ca. 1985
maker
Philips Lighting Company
ID Number
1997.0389.36
catalog number
1997.0389.36
accession number
1997.0389

High Pressure Sodium Lamp

"Lumalux" high pressure sodium lamp rated at 1000 watts. Used for lighting large outdoor areas.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
"Lumalux" high pressure sodium lamp rated at 1000 watts. Used for lighting large outdoor areas.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1980
maker
GTE Sylvania, Inc.
ID Number
1998.0005.16
catalog number
1998.0005.16
accession number
1998.0005

Integral compact fluorescent lamp

Between the two World Wars many large lamp makers attempted to control competition in the international electric lamp trade through organizations known as cartels. The demise of the Phoebus cartel after World War 2 resulted in the globalization of the market for electric lamps.
Description
Between the two World Wars many large lamp makers attempted to control competition in the international electric lamp trade through organizations known as cartels. The demise of the Phoebus cartel after World War 2 resulted in the globalization of the market for electric lamps. The global nature of the market is easily seen by the wide array of compact fluorescent lamps available from manufacturers around the world.
This lamp was made in Korea for Feit Electric Company of Los Angeles around 1986. The lamp is made as an integral unit and is intended to replace an incandescent lamp. The arc tube is twisted into a spiral so as to give the lamp the long arc path needed for efficiency. A magnetic, coil-core ballast contained in the base housing controls the current passing through the lamp. Coil-core ballasts have been replaced by more efficient electronic ballasts in today's compact fluorescent lamps.
Lamp characteristics: medium-screw base-shell. The base insulator is part of the plastic skirt that houses a magnetic ballast and a neon-glow starter. A double-arch arc-tube contains two electrodes, a small amount of mercury and is coated with a phosphor. A clear, plastic cover protects the tube. Both the base skirt and the cover have slots for ventilation. Lamp rated at 18 watts. Received in original package.
Date made
ca 1986
date made
ca. 1986
maker
Feit Electric Company
ID Number
1997.0389.11
accession number
1997.0389
catalog number
1997.0389.11

Metal Halide Lamp

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

Compact Fluorescent Lamp

Compact fluorescent lamp made in Hungary for US market. In original package.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Compact fluorescent lamp made in Hungary for US market. In original package.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1988
Maker
Tungsram
ID Number
1998.0231.12
accession number
1998.0231
catalog number
1998.0231.12

High Pressure Sodium Lamp

“Lucalox” high pressure sodium lamp rated at 400 watts. Characteristics: nickel-plated brass mogul-screw base with glass insulator.
Description (Brief)
“Lucalox” high pressure sodium lamp rated at 400 watts. Characteristics: nickel-plated brass mogul-screw base with glass insulator. Polycrystalline alumina arc-tube with sodium fill, niobium-cap seals, welded connectors, dumet leads, two getter disks - one attached to each lead, ceramic insulator on frame. Frame is supported at top by a metal plate wrapped around a detent molded in the envelope. Tipless E-shape envelope.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1980
maker
General Electric Company
ID Number
2003.0030.10
accession number
2003.0030
catalog number
2003.0030.10

Production Heat-Mirror Tungsten Lamp

MI-T-Wattsaver lamp co-developed by Duro-Test and M.I.T. used a filter to reflect infrared rays back to the filament.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
MI-T-Wattsaver lamp co-developed by Duro-Test and M.I.T. used a filter to reflect infrared rays back to the filament.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1986
maker
DURO-TEST Corporation
ID Number
1997.0062.06
catalog number
1997.0062.06
accession number
1997.0062

Integral Compact Fluorescent Lamp

After the initial introduction of compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) in 1981, many competing lamp companies placed products on the market.
Description
After the initial introduction of compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) in 1981, many competing lamp companies placed products on the market. The first thirty years of compact fluorescents has seen a wide array of styles and features offered as lamp makers attempt to set their products apart from competitors.
This U-Lite unit is an integral CFL—the lamp is all one piece. Integral lamps are typically more expensive to replace than modular designs that allow the user to replace only the part that fails. However integral units do not require suppliers to stock replacement parts, and they free consumers from having to try to select the correct part for their device.
The U-Lite used a slightly larger tube than other companies' CFLs. That simplified the manufacturing process and reduced stress on the phosphor, though it limited the number of tube-legs that could be put on a single lamp. As many as four pairs have been mounted on CFL designs from other makers. More tubes of the size used on the U-Lite would make the lamp too large to install in many fixtures.
Lamp characteristics: Brass medium-screw base with plastic skirt, glass insulator. A magnetic ballast is housed inside the skirt. Single-bend (T-8) arc-tube with reduced diameter bend and internal phosphor coating. No separate, external envelope.
Date made
ca 1987
date made
ca. 1987
maker
Interlectric Corporation
ID Number
1992.0553.01
catalog number
1992.0553.01
accession number
1992.0553

High pressure sodium lamp

"Lumalux" high pressure sodium lamp rated at 70 watts. Foils around arc tube ends are in the electrical circuit.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
"Lumalux" high pressure sodium lamp rated at 70 watts. Foils around arc tube ends are in the electrical circuit.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1985
maker
Sylvania Electric Products Inc.
ID Number
1998.0005.19
catalog number
1998.0005.19
accession number
1998.0005

Heat-Mirror Tungsten Lamp

Duro-Test tungsten lamp developed with M.I.T. An infrared-reflecting coat raised the filament temperature.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Duro-Test tungsten lamp developed with M.I.T. An infrared-reflecting coat raised the filament temperature.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1981
maker
DURO-TEST Corporation
ID Number
1992.0466.03
catalog number
1992.0466.03
accession number
1992.0466

Decorative Incandescent Lamp

White decorative incandescent lamp in original package.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
White decorative incandescent lamp in original package.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1988
maker
Philips Lighting Company
ID Number
1997.0389.38
catalog number
1997.0389.38
accession number
1997.0389

Metal Halide Lamp

An experimental metal halide lamp that could be started with the lamp in any position.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
An experimental metal halide lamp that could be started with the lamp in any position.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1980
Maker
General Electric
ID Number
1997.0388.03
accession number
1997.0388
catalog number
1997.0388.03

High pressure sodium lamp

"Lumalux" high pressure sodium lamp rated at 400 watts. Often used for street-lighting.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
"Lumalux" high pressure sodium lamp rated at 400 watts. Often used for street-lighting.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1980
maker
Sylvania Electric Products Inc.
ID Number
1998.0005.14
catalog number
1998.0005.14
accession number
1998.0005

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