I used to be fascinated with old light bulbs. Here's a webcam watching a bulb that has been on for nearly 111 years. http://www.centennialbulb.org/photos.htm#anchor1234

An interesting page dedicated to an old lightbulb, heh.

http://www.centennialbulb.org/images/cb4s.jpg

I don't know how they have been around, but in the mid-1950's I converted a brass candle-stick telephone to a table lamp and used an original Edison Lamp in it, because it looked great! That bulb burned out in about 1966-68 and while looking for a replacement, I met a guy in Pennsylvania who made custom Lab Glass equipment and he had a sideline of making reproduction bulbs.

I only bought one of his bulbs and after I saw it work, thought I'd buy some more, but the next time I was down there, he had moved. His lamps were not as yellow as an original Edison.

The originals usually have frosted letters on glass near the base "NATIONAL MAZDA" or simply. "MAZDA. the newer MAZDA lamps had the same shape but no tip the cage style filiments are usaly tungsten. Whereas the loop style filiyment are carbon.

Restoration Hardware sells 'em as well. Bulb collecting is a cool niche hobby...check this site:http://www.bulbcollector.com/

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Ah you beat me to it!!!!! (I was gonna add that to this thread)

Sure dont make stuff that good anymore :(

That bulb at the Livermore-Pleasanton fire department is an original. Norm Leal who posts over on ARF lives there and has commented on it many times.

Antique lamp
 

I have an antique "Edison Mazda" by GE here.
Attachment 173890

This is a reproduction.
Attachment 173891

I assume both have similar life:scratch2: