1905 187w Edison GEM light bulb discovered

[BttleDiggerDrew]

Did a hunt today, besides the typical soda bottles and the sea glass, found a 1905 187w Edison gem light bulb, and it was a floater not buried, unfortunately its missing the metallic base, but still retains the filament...what a bizarre find..
http://bulbs.2yr.net/187w-gem-bulb.php

 

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[{Sentinel}]

That's pretty crazy bud. To think that thing has been floating around near the bottom of the sea for around 80+ years probably! That's mind boggling. You can tell by the wear on the outside of the bulb that its been down there quite sometime......Its a testament to how well they were made!

 

[BttleDiggerDrew]

That's pretty crazy bud. To think that thing has been floating around near the bottom of the sea for around 80+ years probably! That's mind boggling. You can tell by the wear on the outside of the bulb that its been down there quite sometime......Its a testament to how well they were made!

It was found amongst leaf litter, makes it more amazing

 

[BttleDiggerDrew]

How sure are you that it's a Gem bulb? Can't tell because it's so dirty, but it looks more like a radio tube to me.

Nobody can ever not have speculation, but if you do a little digging on the information you will find the answer...

 

[BttleDiggerDrew]

How sure are you that it's a Gem bulb? Can't tell because it's so dirty, but it looks more like a radio tube to me.

Ok to play devils advocate, how does this appear to be a radio tube, what attributes?

 

[BttleDiggerDrew]

Never mind that, for the simple reason why it is extremely rare is because " The GEM bulb used a filament that was 25-30% more efficient than the carbon filaments used in earlier bulbs (they gave more light and used less power) but were later left in the dust by the much superior tungsten filament, which appeared in 1907 and is still used today." ( second ...sentence in) and on the end to which proves my point, is that the filaments still exist...see the last sentence.."It is interesting to note that GEM filaments are extremely springy, much more than normal carbon filaments, and appear to be quite resistant to rough handling. "...case and point they still are there...
http://bulbs.2yr.net/187w-gem-bulb.php

 

[BttleDiggerDrew]

He is another pic showing the base of the bulb

 

[Killzworth]

Just my opinion, and it may be the picture itself, but 2 things come to mind in trying to ID this.

1 - It looks small, as in smaller than the 187w bulb.

2 - It looks like the small nipple of glass that should be on the very top of the bulb is non-existent.

A very cool find if it is a GEM, and a very cool find if it's not

 

[BttleDiggerDrew]

Just my opinion, and it may be the picture itself, but 2 things come to mind in trying to ID this.

1 - It looks small, as in smaller than the 187w bulb.

2 - It looks like the small nipple of glass that should be on the very top of the bulb is non-existent.

A very cool find if it is a GEM, and a very cool find if it's not

1- I have Big Hands

2- there is a slight bump, but keep in mind this has been sitting in the elements of NY/NJ (rain, snow, sleet...105 degrees ....repeat...)and being that this area has not been inhabited for over 80yrs..by using deductive reasoning to what its not...Catfishy, but thank you for your sincerity

lastly there are two what appear to be support rods that would hold the filament are there, it would be almost impossible for the actual filaments proper to survive that long.

I like friendly debates... j/k

 

[BuckleBoy]

I have one of those. Dug out of a privy this spring. Cool find!

 

[Tnmountains]

I also have a complete one with base somewhere wrapped in cloth. I will see if I can find it. Nice recovery.