The humble incandescent lightbulb is an invention just about anyone born in the 20th Century is more than familiar with. But it’s not the be all and end all of lighting technology – there are neon lights, compact fluorescent bulbs, and even LEDs are finally being adopted for interior lighting. But with the endless march forward, there are vintage throwbacks to the past – how many hipster cafes have you been to lately with great big industrial-looking filament bulbs hanging from the ceiling?
However, that’s not all history has to give us. These gas discharge bulbs from yesteryear are absolute works of art.
The bulbs contain delicate floral sculptures in metal, coated with phosphor, and the bulbs are filled with neon or argon gas. Applying mains voltage to the electrodes inside the bulb causes the phospor to fluoresce, creating a glowing flower that is hauntingly beautiful.
These bulbs were manufactured by the Aerolux Light Company, from the 1930s to the 1970s. Once upon a time, they could be had for as little as 20 cents a bulb – nowadays you’re likely to pay over $50 on eBay or Etsy. The bulbs work by the glow discharge effect, not at all dissimilar to garden variety neon lamps.
While it’s not easy, it is possible to make your own vacuum tubes. Maybe it’s time to order some phospor powder and a tank of neon and get to work? Be sure to document your attempt on Hackaday.io.
Thanks to [Itay Ramot] for the tip!
This calls for bulbs with star wars figures and laser swords.
+1
Sign me up.
Me too….
I did not know I needed this in my life before now.
I want some Tron ones!
Also spaceships.
Well, I am born in the 20th century, but I always found these bulbs to be kitschy.
I remember seeing some in head shops back in 60’s. The one on the courthouse square was called Software, no they did not have punched cards.
Born in 1971. Never heard of these before.
Had one of these as a child. Loved staring at it…
(born 1967)
Smooth glow….
.
Actually the Neon Art ‘crowd’ does do this. Some use Alu as an electrode. Make it like a regular single electrode piece but all the work is in the electrode. Pull the Phosphors from unbent Neon phosphor coated tubes.
I remember spending hours (combined) starting at these kinds of bulbs, it escapes me why they’re no longer made.
They are. I saw some in a garden center a couple of years ago, but thought little more than ‘huh, that’s different’ at the time. Those were dimly pink-orange, though, and just shoved in with a bunch of other style-over-substance filament lamps.
A quick search for ‘flower lightbulb neon vintage’ throws up a few of them on Amazon and eBay, also tagged with ‘Aerolux’ occasionally.
Well. It´s as ugly as Star Wars paraphernalia, but unbranded. There´s some progress, HaD !
Grandmother had one of the floral designs in the foyer of her house – I remember it clearly as a child.
Yep, my grandmother had one of those too. She didn’t run it very often for fear it would burn out and it wasn’t readily replaced.
Born in 1960, don’t remember them at all. Probably because of something from the 70’s.
KiloKat’s Antique Light Bulb Site has an extensive collection of these:
http://bulbcollector.com/gateway/Gas_Discharge_Lamps/Neon/Aerolux
I wonder what other materials this effect could be applied to?
A company needs to make something like these again and have some Starwars and Startrek themed ones.
star trek? no glow in there.
Warp nacelles, Borg’s aclove, wormholes, etc. Plenty of glowy stuff in Star Trek.
Just have to figure out how to make a light that always makes a lense flare, no matter what.
how large can these be made ?
I’m thinking 40 gallon fish tank size with whole diorama’s
There were (are?) other manufacturers of neon glow lamps with various figures inside, but Aerolux seems to be one of the most artistic with three dimensional designs and multiple colors. Anyone could stamp a flat electrode shaped like a peace sign and stick it in a neon filled bulb. They also made custom bases for some of the bulbs, such as the Popeye bulb and boat shaped lamp.
I have seen very simple ones for displays but never ones this ornate. I must have one. To eBay! No time to loose!
I’d buy a ship-in-a-bottle version with the sun & clouds illuminated. Noice!
These seem even difficult to get from copycat companies? Anyone know any brands still making these that I can search?
As a general point, the few that I have seen photograph better than they look especially when there is any ambient light. They are best viewed in a darkened room.
I bought one of these at Wal Mart about ten years ago. It’s the only one i saw in stock, alongside the pitiful disco balls and lava lites, and it’s the only one I’ve seen since.
Try eBay, search flower light bulb. http://www.ebay.ca/itm/E27-3W-Edison-Sun-Flower-Incandescent-Light-Bulb-Wedding-Party-Decorative-Lamp-/302168617083?hash=item465aa7307b:g:18sAAOSw0w9YVKkG
They all specify 220 volts. Are they bi-voltage compatible?
I dunno, though neon indicators are often 110V, with a resistor in series for 220V countries. If it comes down to it, the smallest little transformer should be good enough to drive it, or even a step-up one from low voltage. They must use almost no power.
I have one of the original Aerolux Pink Rose ones. I bought it new in 1967 at a poster incense shop in Thousand Oaks, Ca. I used it in my “love van” as a night light for romantic occasions on road trips across the United States. It has gone with me through my life and has continued to be a beautiful glowing soft romantic mood light for any romantic occasion. It still glows brightly as a night light in my guest room with iridescent pink roses and bright green leaves. After 53 years about 25% of the phosphors has fallen off. Incredible considering that this bulb has spent 4 years bouncing around in an old Chevy Van, and another 49 years lighting the night with a romantic glow in 4 different houses, in 7 different apartments, in 8 different cities and in 2 different states and cost me all of $3.95. I would ask for my money back but the company went out of business about 30 years ago. Just like life keep the light burning within…
Fantastic story! I gave one to my mother as a gift about 40 years ago. It got broken in a move, unfortunately. Mom has been gone for a bit over 2 years, now, but I remember how much she loved that gift that she used as a night light.