New House Number Lamps

Abstract

THE names of the streets round London are usually placed in a conspicuous position and are well lit by some neighbouring lamp, but in some of the side streets and avenues it is difficult to identify the number of the house. The illumination of these numbers would often be a great boon. In the August number of Heliog?the German export journal for the electric industry?it is stated that in many newly built suburbs ‘number lamps' have been installed over the front doors or in other convenient spots. Several of the older streets also are being equipped with these lamps. Electricity supply companies are encouraging their use by giving the consumer energy for illuminating the lamps at a specially low rate. The number lamps illustrated in the journal are prismatic in shape, three of the edges being vertical and the top and base being horizontal. Expensive shades in opal glass are sometimes used, but owing to the risk of breakage, most people use a cheaper form. Simple panes of glass are put in a east iron frame. They can be easily removed for cleaning and in the event of an accident the pane can be easily replaced. The transparent number panes are placed in a black fraino and the triangular base of the lamp is provided with an opal glass pane which lights up the entrance to the house.