MERCURY ‘MYSTERY’

CD 1964070 E&MP27.033

Electric Lighting

April 8, 1948

Color studies of light from a 1,000-watt mercury vapor lamp, most brilliant lamp ever developed for general use, are underway at the Westinghouse Lamp Division.

This “lighthouse in a tube,” which produces three times the light of a 1,000-watt incandescent bulb, appears to blaze in a blue-green-white color.

But seen through a spectroscope like the one Richard F. Townsend is shown using, the presence of yellow and red as additional colors in mercury light is confirmed scientifically.

A spectroscope breaks up the light into various color lines and bands on the spectrum.

Color studies are helpful in recommending mercury vapor for specific lighting jobs in industries, television studios, and for sports areas, streets and highways. 

Original Caption by Science Service
^©Westinghouse