Willis Lamm's Traffic Signal Collection (And Street Lights Too) Clicking on a picture will bring up a larger view in a new window.   Line Material (L-M) Spherolite Street Light

Spherolite street lights made their appearance in the 1940s and were designed for residential areas and similar locations where high intensity was not needed and where most of the light produced was directed down and not to the sides. Spherolite refractors were similar to traditional Form 79 gumballs and did not emit as much side light as teardrop or acorn refractors.

Spherolite street lamps used the NEMA "latch-on" system. The most prevalent style refractor was made for pole mounting and had slightly different beading on the "street side" as compared with the "house side" in order to direct more light towards the street.	Profile of luminaire head.
This particular unit had a side mount with a photo control socket on the top. The socket could be rotated by loosening two screws so that the photo control faced north. A "N" indicator on the photo control socket bezel allowed for adjustments before the control was plugged in.	Photo control socket.
The socket used for photo control units had connections in the back for the photo control. The main wiring lugs provided power to the control and neutral to both the control and lamp socket. An additional lug could be installed that provided a photo control switched output for a second lamp, illuminated sign or other similar purposes.	Internal view.

How the Spherolite compares with other pendant refractors.
(L to R) Spherolite, Jr., Spherolite and hinged refractor Teardrop.

With the advent of affordable 68 watt (300 watt equivalent) CFLs,
These old lamps can be placed in service for great low cost area lighting.
Here is the restored Spherolite in service behind the work shop.

Continue to
Line Material Spherolite, Jr.