World's Largest Lamp?

We were leaving Edison's Lab in Ft. Myers when I saw this crate on top of a closet with the words "World's Largest Lamp." I am immediately drawn with anything that says "World's Largest" because my friend is the definitive authority on WLTs and I am always looking to put Florida on the map by finding something really, really big here.

In the museum next door are two huge bulbs, one a 50,000 watt, the other a 75,000 watt giant.

I also found this shot in the state archives of little Tommy Dodgen, age 4 at the 1947 Florida State Fair in Tampa. So clearly the 50,000 watt bulb was the world record holder at one point.

My friend, the founder of World's Largest Things, Inc., found this old article about the bulb created for the top of the Edison Monument in Menlo Park, NJ. And Roadside America lists the same as the World's Largest Bulb.

To me, however, this clearly appears to be made up of many smaller bulbs, and is not one giant single bulb like the 75,000 watt lamp in Ft. Myers.

I also found this article under the heading World's Largest Bulb from the Coqulle Valley (Oregon) Sentinel in 1940 under the headline "World's Largest Lamp." Please note it is a mere 50,000 watts.

Might the world record holder be in Florida after all?

Don't forget the non-profits!

Here are a few of my favorite organizations that could use your holiday contributions during these challenging economic times:

The Society for Commercial Archeology

http://www.sca-roadside.org/

I discovered the SCA in 2002 and attended the conference in Reno, Nevada. It's for anyone who loves roadside architecture, signage and structures of the 20th century. This year's conference was in Albuquerque.

World's Largest Things, Inc.

http:www.worldslargestthings.com

Erika Nelson's presentation at this year's SCA conference was a huge hit. Her non-profit organization is home to the Worlds Largest Collection of the World's Smallest Version of the World's Largest Things.

The Historical Society of Central Florida, Inc.

http://www.thehistorycenter.org

Okay this is a client too, but they are doing all they can to keep history alive in Central Florida and that's very important to me. And they have a rockin' journal!

Heifer International

http://www.heifer.org

My company supports this organizational annually. Committed to ending hunger world-wide, you can give a share of a goat for just $10.

Friends of Florida State Parks Inc.

http://www.friendsoffloridastateparks.com/

Everyday in our local paper are more stories of budget cuts on the state level. We have an amazing state park system in Florida, this organization will help it stay this way.

On a national level:

National Trust for Historic Preservation

http://www.preservationnation.org

The Nature Conservancy

http://www.nature.org

National Audubon Society

http://www.audubon.com

Locally:

Don't forget the person or place that feeds your spirit and nutures your soul,whether it is a church, temple, park or just a friendly smiling face. Now is the season for giving to what gives to you. You make the world a better, more interesting place for others when you do!