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.

Carbon Filament Lamp

“Meridian” lamps were designed for stylish installations. They featured a globe shape with no external exhaust tip.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
“Meridian” lamps were designed for stylish installations. They featured a globe shape with no external exhaust tip.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1904
maker
General Electric Company
ID Number
EM.328073
catalog number
328073
accession number
270107

Xenon Flash Lamp

Type R4429 xenon flash lamp for airport. Unit produces short flashes of very bright light.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Type R4429 xenon flash lamp for airport. Unit produces short flashes of very bright light.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1977
maker
GTE Sylvania, Inc.
ID Number
2000.0224.03
catalog number
2000.0224.03
accession number
2000.0224

1973 gas crisis

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1973-12
photographer
Regan, Ken
ID Number
2014.0112.411
catalog number
2014.0112.411
accession number
2014.0112

Short Arc Projection Lamp

A short-arc mercury vapor lamp for projection use.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
A short-arc mercury vapor lamp for projection use.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1970
maker
Westinghouse Electric Corp.
ID Number
1997.0389.48
accession number
1997.0389
catalog number
1997.0389.48

Demonstration Fluorescent Lamp

This fluorescent lamp was made with only one-half of the tube coated as a demonstration.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This fluorescent lamp was made with only one-half of the tube coated as a demonstration.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1995
maker
Philips Lighting Company
ID Number
1997.0389.42
accession number
1997.0389
catalog number
1997.0389.42

Experimental Short Arc Lamp

Experimental arc-lamp with welded foil leads and test leads attached.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Experimental arc-lamp with welded foil leads and test leads attached.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1965
maker
Fridrich, Elmer G.
ID Number
1996.0147.73
accession number
1996.0147
catalog number
1996.0147.73

Carbon Filament Lamp

Only a few types of carbon lamps were made with coiled filaments.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Only a few types of carbon lamps were made with coiled filaments.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1900
maker
General Electric Company
ID Number
EM.230844
catalog number
230844
accession number
43304

Experimental Sulfur Lamp

New lighting inventions occasionally appear from unexpected directions. The development of this microwave-powered lamp provides a case in point.
Description
New lighting inventions occasionally appear from unexpected directions. The development of this microwave-powered lamp provides a case in point. In 1990 Fusion Systems was a small company with a successful, highly specialized product, an innovative ultraviolet (UV) industrial lighting system powered by microwaves.
Discharge lamps typically use electrodes to support an electric arc. Tungsten electrodes are most common, so materials that might erode tungsten can't be used in the lamp and care must be taken to not melt the electrodes. Fusion's lamp side-stepped this problem by eliminating electrodes entirely. Microwave energy from an external source energized the lamp. This opened the way for experiments with non-traditional materials, including sulfur.
During the 1980s engineer Michael Ury, physicist Charles Wood, and their colleagues experimented several times with adapting their UV system to produce visible light without success. In 1990, they tried placing sulfur in a spherical bulb instead of a linear tube. Sulfur could give a good quality light, but did not work well in the linear tube. Other elements only gave marginal results in the spherical bulb. But when they tested sulfur in the spherical lamp they found what they hoped for: lots of good visible light with little invisible UV or infrared rays.
They began setting up "crude" lamps like this one (one of the first ten according to Ury) in order to learn more about the new light source. In the mid-1990s Fusion began trying to sell their sulfur bulbs with limited success. The lamp rotated at 20,000 rpm so that the temperature stayed even over the surface, and a fan was needed for cooling. The fan and spin motor made noise and reduced energy efficiency of the total system. Then they found that the bulbs lasted longer than the magnetrons used to generate the microwaves that powered them. Finding inexpensive magnetrons proved too difficult, and the company stopped selling the product in 2002.
Lamp characteristics: A quartz stem with notch near the bottom serves as the base. The notch locks the lamp into its fixture. The sphere has an argon gas filling, and the yellow material is sulfur condensed on the inner lamp wall. The pattern of condensation indicates lamp was burned base-down. Tipless, G-shaped quartz envelope.
Date made
ca 1990
date made
ca. 1990
maker
Ury, Michael G.
ID Number
1992.0467.01
catalog number
1992.0467.01
accession number
1992.0467

Electric Motor for Alternating Current

An electric motor was one of the critical components needed to make an electrical power system based on alternating current.
Description (Brief)
An electric motor was one of the critical components needed to make an electrical power system based on alternating current. Electrical inventor Nikola Tesla developed a revolutionary motor based on electromagnetic induction that featured rotating magnetic fields to drive the central armature. Engineers working for George Westinghouse refined Tesla’s concept and introduced this model A two-phase motor in 1888. The armature core is of the Siemens drum-type, a design intended to minimize the number of wire windings.
Westinghouse 2-phase induction motor marked "M-68". Metal plate reads: " The Westinghouse Electric Co. Pittsburgh, 271". Case has radial fins for heat dissipation. Connection is made through two binding posts on the base. An electrodynamic rotation motor designed by Nikola Tesla, without commutator or contact brushes. A series of field magnets are built of laminated sheet iron and wound with two sets of coils. Two alternating currents are sent through the field at the same time, one a 1/4 phase behind the other. References: Electrical World, vol. 12, 27 October 1888, pages 221-223. Westinghouse Engineer, January 1950, page 72.
date made
1888
maker
Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Co.
ID Number
EM.315975
accession number
223204
catalog number
315975

Compact Fluorescent Lamp Component

Base unit for "Spiralux" compact fluorescent lamp houses the electronics module needed to operate the lamp.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Base unit for "Spiralux" compact fluorescent lamp houses the electronics module needed to operate the lamp.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1996
maker
DURO-TEST Corporation
ID Number
1997.0062.12
catalog number
1997.0062.12
accession number
1997.0062

Weatherproof Electric Power Transmission Cable

The cables needed to transmit electrical power may seem simple but are actually complex technological artifacts. Cables are designed for many different applications, for example, indoor or outdoor use.
Description (Brief)
The cables needed to transmit electrical power may seem simple but are actually complex technological artifacts. Cables are designed for many different applications, for example, indoor or outdoor use. This power cable was described by GE engineer William Clark in 1898 as follows: “300,000 [circular mil] cable, [having] the braids saturated with bituminous compound. These cables are intended for overhead wiring."
date made
1897
maker
General Electric Company
ID Number
EM.181714
catalog number
181714
accession number
33184
maker number
673

Tungsten Filament Lamp

A coiled-tungsten filament 200 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 200 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 Co.
ID Number
EM.307554
accession number
68492
catalog number
307554

Experimental Fluorescent Lamp

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

Experimental Compact Fluorescent Lamp

Experimental Solenoidal Electric Field header and bulb. A two-piece ferrite would be installed for experiment.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Experimental Solenoidal Electric Field header and bulb. A two-piece ferrite would be installed for experiment.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1975
maker
Anderson, John M.
ID Number
1998.0050.11
accession number
1998.0050
catalog number
1998.0050.11

Electronic Halarc Evaluation Lamp

“Electronic Halarc” consumer evaluation lamp. Miniature metal halide lamp for indoor residential use.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
“Electronic Halarc” consumer evaluation lamp. Miniature metal halide lamp for indoor residential use.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1980
Maker
General Electric Co.
ID Number
1998.0231.11
accession number
1998.0231
catalog number
1998.0231.11

Modular compact fluorescent lamp

In the late 1970s and early '80s many new, energy efficient lamps moved from laboratories onto store shelves. Some succeeded in the market and are still sold today while others failed and disappeared.
Description
In the late 1970s and early '80s many new, energy efficient lamps moved from laboratories onto store shelves. Some succeeded in the market and are still sold today while others failed and disappeared. In the case of this lamp, the Econ-Nova compact fluorescent from Westinghouse, disappearance followed success.
Many problems—some technical, some economic—had to be solved in order for a practical compact fluorescent lamp to succeed. A technical problem stemmed from the fact that energy efficiency in fluorescent lamps depends in part on the distance the electric current travels between the two electrodes, called the arc path. A long arc path is more efficient than a short arc path. Westinghouse engineers decided to fold a glass tube three times, allowing them to use an arc path about 18 inches long in a lamp less than 8 inches tall.
An economic problem stemmed from the expense of the electronics and the ballast needed to operate the lamp. They lasted quite a long time, longer than the electrodes in the tube, but were a major portion of the price of the whole lamp. Throwing away perfectly good electronics just because an electrode failed made little sense. So the Westinghouse engineers designed their lamp to be modular. The fluorescent tube, what they called the hook, could be easily removed and replaced when it failed. New tubes were much less expensive than the whole lamp, so consumers saved money.
Introduced in 1981 the Econ-Nova lamp seemed to be off to a good start when, two years later, the Dutch electrical company Philips purchased the Westinghouse Lamp Division. Philips had been first to the market, introducing two different types of compact fluorescent lamps in 1981. Their "SL" lamp was not modular and differed in other details but was somewhat similar to the Econ-Nova. In order to avoid competing with itself, the company discontinued the Econ-Nova.
Lamp characteristics: A modular compact fluorescent lamp with three components: a light tube, a capsule containing the ballast and starting mechanisms, and a cover. Capsule: medium-screw base shell with brass contact mounted on a plastic skirt. The base insulator is part of skirt. The skirt houses a neon-glow starter and supports a magnetic ballast and a receptacle for a fluorescent tube. Ventilation slots allow heat to escape. A rubber O-ring is on the ballast to keep the tube from striking the ballast if the lamp is bumped. Light tube: a glass tube with three bends mounted on a plastic 4-pin connector. The connector attaches to the capsule with a screw. The tube contains tqo tungsten electrodes and is coated with a phosphor. Cover: a plastic dome that snaps onto the capsule. Ventilation holes at the top allow heat to escape.
Date made
ca 1981
date made
ca. 1981
manufacturer
Westinghouse Electric Corporation. Lamp Division
ID Number
1997.0389.24
accession number
1997.0389
catalog number
1997.0389.24

Experimental Tungsten Halogen Lamp

An experimental 10,000 watt stage and studio lamp with a hydrogen-bromine fill gas.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
An experimental 10,000 watt stage and studio lamp with a hydrogen-bromine fill gas.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1970
maker
General Electric Lighting Company
ID Number
1996.0082.06
catalog number
1996.0082.06
accession number
1996.0082

Standard Carbon Lamp

Typical carbon filament lamp tested at the National Bureau of Standards.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Typical carbon filament lamp tested at the National Bureau of Standards.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1905
ID Number
1992.0342.03
catalog number
1992.0342.03
accession number
1992.0342

Light Bulb Lapel Pin

Brass lapel-pin with a non-functional light bulb. Resembles a typical carbon filament lamp of the early 1900s.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Brass lapel-pin with a non-functional light bulb. Resembles a typical carbon filament lamp of the early 1900s.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1905
ID Number
2002.0342.01
accession number
2002.0342
catalog number
2002.0342.01

Metal Halide Lamp

Typical GE metal Halide lamp for outdoor use.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Typical GE metal Halide lamp for outdoor use.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1985-04
maker
General Electric Lighting Company
ID Number
1992.0553.10
catalog number
1992.0553.10
accession number
1992.0553

Carbon Filament Lamp

Edison carbon lamp. A typical commercial incandescent lamp of the late 1880s.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Edison carbon lamp. A typical commercial incandescent lamp of the late 1880s.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1889
maker
Edison Lamp Company
ID Number
EM.181805
catalog number
181805
accession number
33407

Tungsten Filament Lamp

A third generation tungsten filament lamp rated at 400 candle-power with 15 amperes current.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
A third generation tungsten filament lamp rated at 400 candle-power with 15 amperes current.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1915
maker
General Electric Company
ID Number
EM.307590
accession number
68492
catalog number
307590

Dual Filament Incandescent Lamp

"IQ Back-Up" incandescent lamp with a second filament that lights (at a low level) when the main filament fails.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
"IQ Back-Up" incandescent lamp with a second filament that lights (at a low level) when the main filament fails.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1995
maker
Philips Lighting Company
ID Number
1997.0389.13
accession number
1997.0389
catalog number
1997.0389.13

Fluorescent Panel Lamp

Cool-White fluorescent panel-lamp in original package. The envelope is two pieces welded together along the edge.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Cool-White fluorescent panel-lamp in original package. The envelope is two pieces welded together along the edge.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1973
maker
General Electric Company
ID Number
1998.0050.08
accession number
1998.0050
catalog number
1998.0050.08

Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.

If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.