Here's some GE fluorescent lamps that I also got at Restore today, it seems be older than the CGE era so I think it's from around the 1970's. The F30 also has a 3 next to the etch for some reason, maybe it was something like the 3 plus lamps?
It's hard to read, but the date code on the 3 lamp seems to be 38, which would date the tube to February 1964! I have the period-correct ballast for that lamp LOL, from August of the same year!
By the way, "3" lamps, introduced in 1959 if I'm right, were the original competitor of the Sylvania's Lifeline. The 3 stands for 3000 lumens, a big milestone in fluorescent lighting. However the 3000 lumen rating should only apply to 40W lamps technically, seeing it on a 30W is interesting!
The F15T12 was manufactured in Feb. '78 BTW, if the endcaps have two punched holes, '68 if only one.
Thanks Vince for the info and the dates, the F15T12 has one punched hole so it's from '68 then.
I have a period correct ballast for the F15 lamp which was made in March of the same year but my oldest F30 ballast is also from '68 but I'd say it's pretty close to the same period.
Nice finds! Odd that GE up in Canada used the "3" on the F30T12. Also seems your GE fluorescent lamps have always been outside etched. The ones made in the USA were inside etched in the 60s and some as late as the early 80s.
Login
By the way do you know anymore about the "3" lamps and can you date these and the two Sylvania HOs in my other pic for me?
By the way, "3" lamps, introduced in 1959 if I'm right, were the original competitor of the Sylvania's Lifeline. The 3 stands for 3000 lumens, a big milestone in fluorescent lighting. However the 3000 lumen rating should only apply to 40W lamps technically, seeing it on a 30W is interesting!
The F15T12 was manufactured in Feb. '78 BTW, if the endcaps have two punched holes, '68 if only one.
I have a period correct ballast for the F15 lamp which was made in March of the same year but my oldest F30 ballast is also from '68 but I'd say it's pretty close to the same period.