old light bulb
 

I posted about this *over there* in tubes...so I guess I'll stick it in old radios over here. :)
My house was built in the '40s and this is the only original fixture left in it. I think the bulb is original to it,
but some say it's a reproduction bulb. All I know is that I've been here since '89 and it was here when I arrived!
The base is etched "60W - U.S.A." and the top has nipple like you see on 9 pin tubes.

http://www.videokarma.org/attachment...1&d=1331325715
http://www.videokarma.org/attachment...1&d=1331325715

on one old bulb I had it had a piece of paper in the bottom with a date on it. Does yours?

I think thats a repro. I know they are available. All the old bulbs I have seen have a filament with 2 loops in it.
Also looking inside the bulb, at the bottom where the 2 wires come out of the glass, there usually a piece of paper inside with patent numbers and dates. I don't recall seeing any wattage ratings on old bulbs.

No paper on the bulb. Or if there was paper, its long since fell off.

They can't fall off...they are molded inside the glass. If I get a chance tonight I'll dig one of mine out and get a pic of it.

Has to be a repro. Those original bulbs were not rated in watts, but rather in candlepower.

Interesting. I wonder how long the repros have been around?

Check Home Depot (in your case, the one in Jonesboro, Celt if you're near there). They have some made by Feit.

Alot of places online sell em, and if you're ever at the Edison-Ford Winter Estates in Ft. Myers, FL, they sell them too.

Im running some repro bulbs in several antique lamps of mine, they look extremely close to this. Made by a company called ferrowatt in eastern europe, i dont recall where though.

According to the first review in this Amazon listing, they were made in Austria but are now made in China. (surprise, surprise !)

http://www.amazon.com/Ferrowatt-1910...ef=pd_sim_hi_5

Nice looking bulbs however, with authentic looking tip-seal instead of the molded-in "bump" that many others have.

not affiliated,
jr

Who'd a thunk it?

Tube depot has those repo light bulbs. I have one next to my tube amp with a dimmer on it.:D

I have one in the lamp above this desk, the light from it is quite pleasant.

old bulb
 

Here's the pics of a old bulb, if you look close at the 2nd pic, the paper in question is in the innard glass base. This one is dated 1929.....and it still works:yes:

Hmm.. thats not surprising theyd changed over to being made in china, seems as if everything is now... I bought six of them in 2007 and every one is still working! Cant say that for the average cheapy grocery store bulb.

I do have a few original antique bulbs that are still working, though they just sit and gather dust, as i dont care to burn them out.

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/

...

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: