© General Electric Lighting Company
In the wake of the 1973-74 Energy Crisis, several manufacturers quickly introduced new lamp designs to challenge the inefficient incandescent bulb. General Electric coupled a circular fluorescent tube to an adapter that housed the starter and ballast and also screwed into a common table lamp. Called the Circlite, this hybrid was introduced to the public in 1976.
Since the circular fluorescent tube was 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 the introduction of the new unit. Ultimately, GE developed several versions of the lamp, and as of 2000 Circlites remained in production.
© 2001 Smithsonian Institution
Last Updated: February 2000