The Vital Functions of Light in the Home 
by F. Laurent Godinez 
Editor’s Note: —This is the fourth paper by Mr. Godinez in which he gives the results of experimental research in the matter of home lighting. Previous articles dealt with the 
subject of eye-strain, the avoidance of glare and types of satisfactory lighting. The present article explains ways of reproducing the suggestions previously given and offers 
practical hints to all persons who do not care to make radical changes in their lighting equipment. 
N occasions when the 
landlord objects to 
temporary replace¬ 
ment or radical modi¬ 
fication of lighting 
fixtures, it is usually 
possible to modify the 
unsatisfactory equip¬ 
ment by slight changes. 
Take the case of 
pendant globes o r 
shades, on typical fix¬ 
tures, such as are rep¬ 
resented in figure I. 
Here the ordinary 
cut glass, plentifully 
besprinkled with 
stars, the spotty or 
commonplace p r i s - 
matic shade, may be 
replaced by glassware 
which at least is not a 
constant distraction to 
the eye. This fixture, 
illustrated in figure 
i, is a combination for 
gas and electric light. 
That is, the electric 
bulbs are in a pend¬ 
ant position and in¬ 
verted incandescent 
gas mantles can be 
used. The function 
of shades and globes as secondary radiating surfaces in this rela¬ 
tion is first of all to present a soothing and pleasing appearance to 
the eye. This necessitates opal glassware (available from all 
manufacturers) of such color as to modify the white, garish light. 
The light-radiating surfaces of the mantle, or filament, must 
never project below the rim of the shade, and the tip of the tung¬ 
sten lamp and the mantle chimney should be frosted. When this is 
done, and the interior of the shade depolished, a most agreeable 
diffusion of light results, and, if the harsh, white quality is modi¬ 
fied, the presence of such light sources in the visual field ceases to 
be annoying and dangerous. Of course, one’s aesthetic ideals are 
somewhat restricted where glassware must be reconciled with the 
cheap, ugly fixtures found even in the most expensive apartments. 
When the fixture is entirely lacking in proportion of line and 
symmetry, or else “embellished” with impossible ornate bows, 
festoons and flourishes, it is best to avoid adding insult to injury, 
by selecting globes expressing simplicity in contour and design. 
Referring again to figure i the difference between the inverted 
gas and electric lamps is revealed by the characteristic—and in¬ 
cidentally unattractive burner mechanism of the gas lamp. Many 
persons are unaware of the fact that standard manufacturers of 
gas mantles have perfected a burner mechanism which exactly 
resembles the ordinary electric socket. This device enables one 
to use all the globes available for electric lamps—in either up¬ 
right or pendant forms, with the standard three and one-half inch 
upright mantle, or the new Junior mantles, which compare in 
quality of light with the sixty Watt tungsten lamp. 
There seems to be a general impression that when a portable 
gas or electric table lamp is used as a supplementary source, as 
described in our last article, it is necessary to eliminate one of 
the fixture lights to accommodate the flexible gas tube, or electric 
conductor. “Multiple” attachment plug sockets may be obtained 
for a few cents, which permit the necessary connection without 
detracting from the appearance of the fixture, and gas cocks 
with "by passes” perform the same function for gas lamps. 
When fixtures are fitted with upright lamps, as in figure 2, 
modification is somewhat facilitated, that is, assuming the func¬ 
tion of the center ceiling fixture to be a source of general il¬ 
lumination, in contrast to the localized effect of the table portable 
lamp, which as previously stated contributes to the pictorial 
aspect of an interior and supplies variety. 
The fixture illustrated in figure 2, is typical of thousands. 
They are usually hung so low that the glare from these cheap, 
ground glass or ribbed shades blinds the eye, or so high that the 
useful, horizontal candle power of the illuminants is wasted on 
the upper side walls, causing annoying glare from picture glass, 
and leaving the lower portion of the room where light is needed, 
in a stratum of darkness. 
Figure 3 indicates how such a fixture with upright lamps, may 
be converted into an indirect lighting unit. The reflectors 
furnished for this purpose by the manufacturers of indirect light¬ 
ing equipment, are termed “adaptables” and are designed to slij 
over the electric socket without any re-construction, and while 
the reflectors illustrated in figure 3 are not artistic, they are 
serviceable to those who, as tenants, must obtain lighting improve¬ 
ment without removing or injuring the landlord's equipment. 
Great attention has 
been attracted by 
what is known as the 
indirect method of 
illumination. This 
system advocates the 
entire concealment 
of source, the lamps 
being placed in glass 
reflectors coated 
with pure silver, 
which reflect all of 
the light on the ceil¬ 
ing, which in turn 
acting as a third re¬ 
directing surface, 
diffuses the light 
throughout the 
room. This method 
has found many 
partisans amongst 
ophthalmologists and 
oculists. 
Dr. George M. 
Gould, Editor of 
“American Medi¬ 
cine,” and author of 
many authoritative 
m 0 n 0 g r a p h s on 
physiological prob- A dense opal hemisphere with light ceiling 
lems, says in a above gives a good indirect effect 
(270) 
