The advantages of fluorescent tubes was immediately apparent. The fluorescent tube was ideally suited for road lighting, casting a wide beam across the road surface and was relatively unaffected by wet conditions (which lead to streaks from more compact light sources). It's non-dazzling white light (due to the low surface brightness of the tube itself) made it an ideal solution for the lighting of high streets, promenades and civic areas, with smaller units used for residential streets. The only problem was the size of the tubes, which in turn lead to large lanterns.

The first fluorescent lanterns were huge, bulky affairs, their size dictated by the bulb lengths, the enormous gear and the limitations of the raw materials of the late 1940s: the lanterns consisted of plate glass panels and metal frames. The optical system was also complex treating each lamp as individual source and concentrating its beam in one area using parabolic polished metal reflectors. Their large size, and equally large capital cost, made lighting authorities hesitant to use these lanterns.

Fluorescent's popularity increased as new aluminium alloys allowed lighter one-piece canopies to be cast, which in turn supported new plastic moulded bowls. The optical systems changed again with all the tubes contributing to the whole: a primary system of lightweight plastic refractors directed the flux onto the road surface and fashioned the main beams; whilst a secondary system (comprising of white over-reflector) directed light above the horizontal back to the refractor plates.

Therefore the lanterns became simpler to manufacture and, in turn, their purchase price decreased. They were still an expensive option, but authorities could justify their use due to their excellent white light (as compared to the more "artificial" coloured mercury and sodium lanterns). Fluorescent lighting was especially popular in new town developments and many manufacturers pointed this out in advertisements.

The lantern's large size was still a problem and manufacturers took a tip from European practise and angled the lantern slightly to disguise its length. Whilst this threw the light further across the road, it was usually done for cosmetic reasons alone.

The 1950s and 1960s were the age of the fluorescent lantern: it's white light seen as an energy efficient replacement for ageing tungsten and gas lighting. As gear sizes were gradually decreased, the manufacturers took advantage by streamlining the lanterns further. Optical systems became simpler until they eventually consisted of no more than the tubes themselves with a small over reflector.

The energy crisis of the 1970s prompted a rethink. The complex white light fluorescent lantern, usually burning multiple tubes, was seen as an expensive luxury: a unit burning two 40W bulbs could be replaced by a single low pressure sodium lantern burning a 35W bulb. The idea that orange light was unsuitable for residential areas and high streets was swept away by economic necessity. Therefore, as an energy saving measure, the tubular fluorescent lantern was gradually removed, to the extent that hardly any exist on public streets anymore.

The use of the tubular fluorescent lamp for street lighting was over. (Although the future looks bright for the compact fluorescent lamp but that's another story...)

Name: GEC Z8256 (Surrey Modification)
Date: Circa 1960s
Dimensions: Length: 31¼", Width: 9½", Height: 7"
Light Distibution: Non Cut-Off (BSCP 1004:1952)
Lamp: 2 x 40W MCFE/U

GEC Z8256 GEC Z8260

This lantern started off life as the GEC Z8256 but was modified in service. It was installed in Surrey. The lighting department at the County Council decided that the replacement bowls were too expensive, so the council produced their own, slim-line replacement. This required the cutting of the lamp support brackets and repositioning of the terry clips on the remaining stubs. Many thanks to Richard Atkinson for the information.

The only optical control is a white over reflector. This was originally the secondary optical system of the GEC Z8256 and here it provides the same function, namely simply reflecting flux emitted above the horizontal back down towards the ground.

The bowl has limited optical features and its primary function is to simply protect the tubes and keep the interior of the lantern clean.

The bi-pin fluorescent connectors are not earthed, suggesting these lanterns used MCFE/U lamps.

Despite providing just under forty years of service, the lantern was in remarkably good condition. It was stripped down and given a good clean and the rusty over reflector was stripped and repainted. Unfortunately the bowl's started to turn yellow (caused by the polycarbonate plastic being exposed to ultraviolet light) but there’s nothing I can do about that.

The following pictures were taken as the lantern was reassembled.

This lantern was originally obtained by fellow collector P.. It originally stood somewhere in the Epsom, Surrey area until 2005 when it was removed and saved.