The Gumballs

Medium sized enclosed incandescent luminaires by General Electric and Pemco

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Almost every streetlight manufacturer had a version of a "gumball" luminaire. These were installed in cities and towns of all sizes, from the 1940's on into the 1960's, along major and residential streets.

The two GE specimens have Wheeler heads. I am not sure whether they were installed that way or whether an original non-photocontrol head was replaced to change over to individual photocontrol operation. They are depicted without photocontrols since I observed most gumball luminaires years ago without photocontrols.

At the time of manufacture, different styles of heads were available also, for high voltage series (over 600 volt circuit open voltage), low voltage series/multiple (120-600 volt), internal or external wiring, horizontal or vertical pipe arm mount.

Typically used with 2500 lumen (200 watt) to 10000 lumen (600 watt) lamps. The Pemco last had a 300 watt lamp.

GE No.205 (left photo)

Single walled stamped sheet aluminum reflector, refractor permanently attached. If the glass was broken, it would have been necessary to send the reflector back to the factory for refurbishing, or more likely the entire assembly was discarded.

Has extra vertical reflector attached to inside of main reflector assembly to reduce light directed towards houses behind the fixture.

Examples still in use on Richardson St in Wakefield, MA (1998), where this specimen was obtained.

Molded into glass, no. 4110 III
Weight of reflector/refractor:  9 lb.
Diameter at widest point:  13-1/2 in.
Head: One piece cast aluminum alloy, Wheeler #42946

GE, conical refractor (center photo)

Single walled stamped sheet aluminum reflector, refractor permanently attached. If the glass was broken, it would have been necessary to send the reflector back to the factory for refurbishing, or more likely the entire assembly was discarded.

I have seen this style more in smaller towns and along less thickly settled streets instead of in the center city.

Molded into glass, no. 4102E - 508
Weight of reflector/refractor:  8-1/2 lb.
Diameter at widest point:  13-1/4 in.
Head: Wheeler cast aluminum alloy, with bolted on mounting collar marked #42685.

Pemco (right photo above)

Single walled stamped aluminum reflector, replaceable glass refractor attached to rim of reflector with  circumferential 'C' section aluminum strip whose ends are held together by a bolt.

Has extra vertical reflector attached to inside of main reflector assembly to reduce light directed towards houses behind the fixture.

Numbers molded into glass at bottom: 4003-800617-III

Weight of reflector/refractor assembly:  10-3/4 lb.
Weight of complete luminaire: 14 lb.
Diameter at widest point:  13 in.

Other manufacturers' models (no specimens in collection)

   Line Equipment Industries Spherolite