Manfacturer: General Electric Co.
I got this neat, unique 3-Way lamp a few years back and I thought it was something I have never seen before because it was so different from conventional 3-Way light bulbs. It is so different from conventional ones because this one has an R-40 envelope, opposed to the A-25 or PS-25 envelope at the time this lamp was made (1950s-60s), although I assumed it was used in old torchieres.
Later on, I found out that these were used as reading lamps, and were supposed to cast more light on the reading area up and down, because the shape is supposedly more efficent at certain light distributions. I am still not sure since, even without relfective coating, an R shape will still cast more light out of the face due to the reflective charactistics of the glass and the shape. Typically this lamp would be used in a "base-down" position, but more light will be cast upwards. These lamps were designed to be used in ordinary table lamps, and special harps were also made to allow the wide R-40 lamp to fit in the lamp. Today, you can spot an older table lamp with an unusually wide harp (in a shape genrally designed to match the R-40) in the thrift shops. Chances it had one of these lamps at one time. In addition to the 3-Way shown here, regular 150 watt versions were also available. Photo coming soon.
Lamp: Speciality Incandescent
Wattage: 50-100-150 watt
Voltage: 120 volt
Bulb: R-40
Finish: Soft White
Base: E-26s 3-Contact Brass Medium Base
Class: C
Filament: 2C-2R w/ 2 supports each
Lamp Life: 1200 hours
Manf. Date: -
Country of
Orgin: USA
