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CLICK HERE FOR THE TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE AND LINKS TO ALL PAGES ON THIS SITE TABLE OF CONTENTS HISTORY THE TIMELINE MANUFACTURER'S HISTORIES THE PATENT PAGES THE PRE-ELECTRIC ERA VINTAGE ADVERTISING THE LIGHT SET GALLERIES RELATED LINKS LIGHTING OUTFITS: 1940-1950 This decade saw the beginning and the end of World War II, which had a devastating effect on the manufacture of Christmas lights. As the need for war materials grew, most American companies turned their production lines to whatever they could make that would help the war effort. Metals of all types were in short supply, and as a result, no electric Christmas lighting outfits were made during the War years. Old strings that were in warehouse storage before the War began were sold for as long as the stock lasted. After that, Americans had to make their old sets last a few years longer, just as they had to do during the previous decade in the Depression. This probably accounts for the large variety and quantities of vintage lights that are available to the collector. Lighting outfits were carefully packed away in their original boxes for use in future Christmases, often with interesting little notes hand-written inside the boxes as to what room or window they went in. Once again, Americans had to make do with what they had. Bubble lights, soon to become the best selling Christmas lights in the world, were actually invented in the late 30s, but NOMA, the holder of the patents on the lights, had to wait until after the War before they could be manufactured. This section will cover both the carry-over lights from the Depression era, as well as the War-era box art, post World War II novelty light sets and bubble lights. During the War years, NOMA was unable to produce the Christmas decorations and lights they were so famous for. Along with the production of airplane parts and even bombs, the company also kept their name in front of consumers by making a line of children's toys. Made out of wood or composition, these products did not use up valuable War resources and were actually good sellers. Although a bit primitive for the time, War era children happily embraced these toys, and most of the examples found today are well played with. Even after the War, NOMA continued to produce other products such as toys, wood and plastic kitchen accessories, and even distributed electric motors and washing machines. The example above is a simple train that was sold in 1942.
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Circa 1941, these attractive Star-Lites from Paramount are well made and interesting. Although it is not terribly convenient, the Stars have replaceable lamps and are manufactured of heavier than normal plastic. Despite this fact, they did burn rather hot, and it is easy to find heat damaged examples like the disassembled blue Star above. Later in this decade, Paramount would use the same base fastening method employed with these lights on their new bubbling lights, at first called Kristal Snow Animated Candles. Sold in boxes of 10 as shown above and sets of 8 with a lighting string, the product was discontinued in 1949. CLICK HERE to see the patent for these lights. | |||
Outside of Box | Inside of Box | Disassembled Star | Front and Back Views of Assembled Star |
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