Christmas Lighting Technology - Bubble Lights

Bubble Lights

Bubble lights are a type of incandescent novelty light that acquired some popularity during the 1950s. Their main feature is a sealed glass tube with a colored bubbling liquid inside, created by the heat from the incandescent light. The fluid within the vial was originally a lightweight oil but now is methylene chloride for a more consistent bubble effect. While the idea was first demonstrated by Benjamin Franklin, the idea was adapted for use in Christmas Lights. They were invented by Carl Otis in 1935 who sold the patents to the NOMA Electric Corporation. There is a long story involving patent fights. Bubble Lights can still be purchased online and in stores to this day.

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Famous quotes containing the words bubble and/or lights:

    Then a soldier,
    Full of strange oaths, and bearded like the pard,
    Jealous in honor, sudden, and quick in quarrel,
    Seeking the bubble reputation
    Even in the cannon’s mouth.
    William Shakespeare (1564–1616)

    What is the disease which manifests itself in an inability to leave a party—any party at all—until it is all over and the lights are being put out?... I suppose that part of this mania for staying is due to a fear that, if I go, something good will happen and I’ll miss it. Somebody might do card tricks, or shoot somebody else.
    Robert Benchley (1889–1945)