The Fifteen Watt Tungsten Lamp

"The Fifteen Watt Tungsten Lamp" by Clair Elmore Anderson is a scientific thesis written in the early 20th century, specifically in 1912, as part of the requirements for a Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering at the University of Illinois. The book focuses on the characteristics and performance of the 15-watt tungsten lamp, comparing it with larger units, and addresses specific phenomena such as "overshooting," where the lamp briefly emits more light than its steady state. The content of the book is a detailed examination of the 15-watt tungsten lamp through various tests and analyses. Anderson discusses the lamp's life expectancy under different conditions, particularly emphasizing the results from shock tests compared to ideal operating conditions. Key findings reveal that the lamp's average life was significantly lower than expected under ideal conditions, while the shock-tested lamps performed remarkably well. The thesis also delves into the science behind the phenomenon of overshooting, providing theories and empirical data to explain why these lamps initially produce more light when powered on. The work concludes with insights into the lamp's efficiency and the variance in quality between different manufacturing sources.