27.083 Electric Lighting, Science Service Historical Image Collection

1938 - first sodium-vapor lamps to be used for the illumination of an underpass

FIRST UNDERPASS TO BE LIGHTED BY SODIUM-VAPOR LAMPS

CD 1966001 E&MP27.083

Electric Lighting

August 20, 1938

The State of California Highway Commission has installed the first sodium-vapor lamps to be used for the illumination of an underpass.

The installation is on the Stockton-Sacramento highway about ten miles south of the latter city, and consists of two 10,000-lumen General Electric sodium-vapor lamps in reflectors of the type specially designed by G.E. for sodium-vapor highway lighting units.

It is believed that in addition to the high-efficiency illumination provided by these lamps, the distinctive color of their light will serve as a caution signal to approaching motorists - amber-colored light being widely associated with CAUTION.