This lamp is a rare example of those made by independent manufacturer Australian Consolidated Industries. Although this was a large company with a long history of making glass, a major component of light globes, it was never a strong competitor to Electric Lamp Manufacturers (Australia) Pty Ltd (ELMA), which had begun making light globes in 1931. ACI made light globes from 1945 to 1975, but, like other independents, its output had minimal impact on ELMA's sales.

Most light globes made by Australian Consolidated Industries were sold under the brand name Astrol. Production of this Mitchell's brand globe, in its bright packaging with whimsical artwork, was probably aimed at increasing the shelf-space in shops for the company's products and attracting more attention from shoppers.

Debbie Rudder, Curator, 2011

This light globe was made by the Australian Incandescent Company, a subsidiary of Australian Consolidated Industries Ltd, at 154 Parramatta Road in Camperdown, an inner Sydney suburb. This factory produced light globes between 1945 and 1975.

Australian Consolidated Industries was founded in 1939 as the successor company to Australian Glass Manufacturers, a company formed in 1915 by the amalgamation of glass-makers in Sydney and Melbourne.

Lamp collector Fin Stewart purchased this light globe via ebay, an internet trading site, and kept it in his collection until he offered it to the Museum.

Light globe and packaging, 240V, 60W, Mitchell's brand, glass / metal / paper, made by Australian Incandescent Co, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1945-1955

The globe has a bayonet cap base and pearl glass.

The packaging is red, yellow, black and white and features a light globe shining through the name MITCHELL'S, casting yellow shadows of the letters, and a line drawing of a man wielding a broom above the text SWEEPING AWAY THE SHADOWS.

Made: 1945 - 1955

2012/17/3

1945 - 1955