MAZDA Lamps with Sintered Tungsten Filaments

The precise dating of a lamp can be difficult if it was manufactured during a period of design change. An example is the early MAZDA lamp. The first tungsten lamps employed filaments that were obtained by squirting material through a die, followed by sintering. These were introduced to the public about Jul 1907. Because long lengths of such filaments were difficult to handle, short hairpin shaped segments were made and then welded to support wires. The segments were then connected in series to result in the proper electrical resistance for the line voltage.

The result of the work of Dr. William D. Coolidge was that the tungsten product was ductile; therefore, wire could be drawn into long lengths. Instead of having to make short segments, the required length of wire could be used without the welding operation; the wire was simply wound back and forth over support wires.

Identification of the very first tungsten lamps, utilizing the so-called sintered filaments, can be determined by the weld balls on the support wires close to the lamp base. Starting in early 1911 these weld joints could no longer be seen in lamps that utilized the so-called drawn, or nonsag, tungsten filament.

Clarification of the identification of lamps manufactured at that time should be made. The word MAZDA was first used on a tungsten filament lamp about Dec 21, 1909. At that time only sintered filaments were being used. An example of a lamp showing the weld balls on the lower support wires, as well as a MAZDA label, is shown below.

The nonsag type of wire was first used in lamps starting about Sep 1910. These lamps were sold by the following National members: Banner, Brilliant, Bryan-Marsh, Buckeye, Colonial, Columbia, Fostoria, General Incandescent, Monarch, New York & Ohio, Shelby, Standard, Sterling, Sunbeam and the Warren Electric & Specialty Company.

By Jan 1911 Zokul (in Cleveland) was manufacturing lamps, utilizing nonsag tungsten, for 30-volt and 60-volt circuits in sizes 15 , 25, 30 and 40 watts. By May 1911 they were manufacturing lamps for 110-volt service.

It might be concluded, from what was presented above, that MAZDA lamps were manufactured with sintered tungsten filaments from about Jan 1, 1910 to about May 1911. All lamps used for household purposes in 1910 had sintered tungsten filaments and were also referred to as MAZDA. This writer is making a simplification and stating that a lamp that has the weld balls on the lower supports as well as a MAZDA label was manufactured in 1910.