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BUBBLE-LITES,
c. 1954
This
"Bubble Lite" represents one light amongst a string of eight
assorted-coloured, specialty Christmas Tree Lights. Manufactured by
NOMA Lites Limited beginning in the late 1940s,
the "Lites" proved extremely popular in the 50s and 60s and
remain in production today. A liquid inside the "lites" with
a low boiling point was heated with an incandescent bulb, which caused it
to "bubble" up the candle-shaped vials.
This string
was bought in 1954 by the parents of former Lethbridge resident Trevor
Bennett. The lights were used to decorate a small Christmas tree in
Bennett's room at the Calgary Children's Hospital where he was
being treated for polio. In August 2007 he commented, "I always intended to use these bubble lights again,
however when it really came to a choice I always chose not to use them because
I was unhappy with the memories associated with Christmas in the children's
hospital. I had put them on a tree, but they always came off the next day. Some
memories are just too painful to revisit during a holiday which should be
enjoyable."
P20060032007
Collection of the Galt Museum and Archives
These bubble lights
are now on display at the Galt
Museum and Archives.
Presented by Lethbridge living and the Galt Museum & Archives.
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