Current practice in public electric lighting brings together most of the technology developed by the end of the last century. Incandescent lamps and mercury or sodium vapour lamps continue to illuminate the major arteries of large cities, the many tunnels and viaducts across the country, most monuments, the exteriors of public buildings, and residential neighbourhoods. While fluorescent lamps have left the roadside to light up the interiors of skyscrapers both day and night, they still provide indirect lighting for public spaces.

Fig. 26 ArcstreamTM metal halide lamp. (GE catalogue, 1997, p. 8)

Marketed in the 1990s, the metal halide lamp (fig. 26) is a postmodern version of the arc lamp. It combines the halogen lamp and the fluorescent lamp and provides a very strong light. It is used mostly to enhance outdoor lighting in shopping centres and store windows or to spotlight monuments; they can also be found in the ceilings of indoor skating rinks.

Present-day concerns about saving electrical energy have also had an influence on the design and output requirements of lamps. Preserving the lightscape as authentically as possible is contributing to the beautification and revitalization of city centres and main streets.

The illumination of Parliament Hill in Ottawa, the Eiffel Tower in Paris and Central Park in New York is planned as part of the celebrations of the new millennium. They are a reminder that the electric light bulb is one of the major icons of our century.

About the author:
Louise Trottier is the curator of energy at the Canada Science and Technology Museum. She is particularly interested in Art Nouveau lighting.

The author thanks Suzanne Beauvais for collaboration in the research for this document.

The Museum wishes to thank Archives historiques Hydro-Québec for the loan of two photographs from its collection.