Where Can I Buy Christmas Tree Bubble Lights
The liquid is almost always methylene chloride, a solvent that is toxic and possibly carcinogenic.[citation needed] It is generally sealed in a glass vial or capsule to prevent its release; if it is broken, the area should be evacuated until the fumes have dissipated. Some early bubble lights instead used a lightweight oil or camphor (a white substance used in some moth balls) to create the low boiling point. In these older lamps, one can often see a white piece floating at the top of the vial, until the heat of the lamp dissolves it and it starts to bubble.
where can i buy christmas tree bubble lights
The light from the lamp illuminates the bubbles from underneath, causing them to shine. Bubble lights of all kinds operate best when the top of the tube is significantly cooler than the bottom, thus increasing the temperature gradient. The tubes must be kept upright, and occasionally may need to be tapped or even shaken to begin bubbling after warming up.
In recent years, bubble lights have become more elaborate in appearance. Glitter is sometimes added to the vials for extra sparkle, most commonly on specialty types such as those used in decorative nightlights. Bases are now often made to look like figures such as Santa Clauses or snowmen, or decorative objects and symbols, rather than the plain ribbed plastic. Like many other Christmas decorations, they have been converted for Halloween use, usually with orange-colored liquid and a base that looks like a jack-o'-lantern, or the head of a black cat or witch, among other Halloween symbols.
Less-toxic modern imitations of bubble lights are made from acrylic or other clear plastic rods, with permanent bubbles deliberately manufactured into them, lit with fixed-color or color-changing LEDs. Other bubbling lights are much larger and sit on a table or floor, occasionally with fake fish which "swim" up and down as they change buoyancy. These tubes are usually filled with distilled water, and have one or more airstones at the bottom, and normally a light, along with an air pump.
Since the advent of electric lights, few people place lighted candles on Christmas trees, a common practice in prior centuries. But, some of us might be tempted to pull out those old bubble lights that were popular in the 1950s through the 1970s. (In fact, bubble lights are so popular that new bubble lights now are available.) Their "candle" shape, liquid movement under the glass, and bright colors make them attractive and appealing, especially to young children.
Underneath their joyful appearance, there lurks a hidden hazard. The fluid inside old or new bubble lights most frequently is methylene chloride. Methylene chloride can cause serious poisoning if it is inhaled, swallowed, or spilled on the skin. In the body, methylene chloride is converted to carbon monoxide. The symptoms are the same as from other sources of carbon monoxide: nausea, vomiting, headache, drowsiness, coma, seizures, heart attack, and even death.
Case 2: A 29-year-old 20-weeks-pregnant caller told Poison Control that she cleaned up two broken bubble holiday lights and had gotten some of the liquid on her hands. She quickly washed her hands. Poison Control reassured her that though the bubble light fluid can be quite hazardous if swallowed or absorbed through the skin in large amounts, the quantity she got on her skin might cause irritation but would not harm her or the baby.
Spread a bit of the bubbly around the house with our Traditional Holiday Bubble Lamps. We offer our Christmas bubble light sets with 7 bubble lights on an 8' cord. You can also order 3 pack replacements of bubble lights to replace burnt out ones.
Ever since the NOMA Electric Corporation of New York first introduced bubble-lites for Christmas of 1946, there has been an ongoing fascination with the bubbling liquid Christmas light. NOMA actually began their production in 1941 but due to WWII were not able to go into public production until after the war. The earliest prototype Bubble-Lites that were not actually marketed were fastened together with three little metal clips rather than glue. These early specimens are referred to as tri-clips. These were used on the first experimental NOMA 24-light C6 socket trees (see picture below). There are few of these 24-socket trees still available, and they do command a good price. The original tri-clip bubble lights are nearly impossible to find today.
For December of 1946, NOMA Electric manufactured and sold nearly one million of their Bubble-Lites. Most homes in the US had some bubble lights on their trees that Christmas and for several Christmases after.
While it is clear that NOMA was the originator of the bubble light and produced their lights from 1946 to 1960, other Christmas light manufacturers wanted a share of the market with their original ideas.
During the early period of bubble lite manufacture there were 16 different styles produced, all with a miniature or C6 base, the kind where if one goes out, they all go out. There were also 12 different styles produced by the same companies with a candelabra or C7 base, which light independently.
Many of us are familiar with the pre-lighted Christmas trees that are marketed today online and in home centers, lighted with mini lights or LED lights. This seems to be something new but the concept is really not that new.
The turkey is long gone and the dishes have been put away. As Thanksgiving blends into the background of the winter holidays, ornate displays of Christmas lights illuminating neighborhoods, city streets, and shopping centers have arrived. But when did the American tradition of Christmas lights start and who is responsible for it?
As Christmas lights evolved, so did their accompaniments. From tinsel and glass blown ornaments to plastic stars on top, decorations also transformed the Christmas tree. Soon, lights and decorations began to merge, and in 1935 GE sold candle-shaped lamps.
In 1946, NOMA introduced its famous Bubble Lights, which became a fashionable decoration well into the 1960s. Other styles continuously emerged, from twinkling lights to globe-shaped bulbs. In 1959, the aluminum Christmas tree popularized the concept of permanent and reusable artificial trees, launching the industry into a new era.
Bubble lights are a vintage Christmas light that is shaped like a candle with an art deco style base. When warmed up, a liquid inside the glass begins to bubble gently. Christmas bubble lights can be a variety of colors, often with a tinted liquid or glitter inside the glass tube to add a mesmerizing effect.
Scientifically speaking, the way bubble lights work is fairly straightforward as well, although slightly less mysterious. The liquid inside the glass tube is mostly water, but it also contains a small amount of oil or a chemical that has a very low boiling point. This glass tube is designed to be in close contact with the incandescent light source, which gives off heat after being turned on for a few minutes. As the incandescent bulb heats up, the liquid inside the glass tube begins to boil, and you get a favorite light from Christmas past: bubble lights!
Christmas bubble light safety: modern bubble lights are completely safe as long as they are properly displayed and stored. To avoid broken glass & liquid spills, make sure Christmas bubble lights are secured to your tree and unable to be easily knocked down by pets or children. If you've come across a set of vintage bubble lights, extra caution should be taken if you plan to display these as the materials used in older light sets may not be as safe or the strings may no longer be in good working condition.
If you're curious where these imaginative lights came from, you might be surprised to learn it was an accountant who started the trend! In the 1940s a New York accountant named Carl Otis came up with the idea for a bubbling, candle shaped set of Christmas lights. The captivating lights he envisioned were brought to life with the help of NOMA Electric Corporation and given the name "Bubble Lites" - quickly becoming the must-have Christmas decoration of the 1950s and bubbling merrily on Christmas trees in family homes across America ever since.
You might have come here looking for bubble lights because of the childhood memories they invoke, or maybe you just love the retro look and feel of this Christmas decoration. Whatever reason brought you here, we're glad you found us! We have a little more vintage Christmas magic to share with you.
Like bubble lights, C7 and C9 Christmas light bulbs are a hallmark of Christmas past that continues to be popular in the present. The technology used to illuminate these bulbs may have evolved over the years, but the classic design remains. Since they first arrived in homes during the 1920s, C7 & C9 light bulbs have never gone out of style. These classic bulbs continue to be the most popular Christmas lights, especially for outdoor decorating. While you can still find incandescent C7 & C9 Christmas lights in some stores, the newer LED technology and bulb finishes come so close to mimicking the soft glow and visible filament display that you almost can't tell the difference anymore!
Bring a nostalgic and retro vibe to your holiday decor with our Kurt S. Adler bubble light set. This classic string of candles add warmth and a pop of color weather you string them through your tree or dress up a mantle garland for the season. 041b061a72