Tung-Sol

Tung-Sol

Company type	Private
Industry	Manufacturing, Electronics
Founded	1904 in New York City, United States
Founder	Harvey Wilson Harper, Herbert E. Plass, Herbert C. Plass
Headquarters	Newark, New Jersey , United States
Key people	Harvey Wilson Harper (President), Clyde C. Bohner (VP Engineering), R. E. Carlson (VP Sales), C. Everett Coon (Chairman subcommittee)
Products	Lamps, vacuum tubes, transistors, semiconductors
Number of employees	600 (1948 Newark facility), 1,300+ (1950 Weatherly facility)

Tung-Sol was a United States-based manufacturer specializing in lamps and vacuum tubes.

History

Established in 1904 in New York City by Harvey Wilson Harper along with Herbert E. and Herbert C. Plass, the firm initially focused on producing electric lights for Christmas trees and small-scale toy train sets. By 1911, the company redirected its efforts exclusively toward manufacturing bulbs and radio tubes.

Early lamp expertise and origins

Harvey Harper, who had been involved with miniature lamps since 1897 and previously led General Electric’s miniature lamp division, spearheaded initial innovations. The Howard Miniature Lamp Company relocated multiple times before settling in East Orange, New Jersey, where it manufactured incandescent automobile headlight bulbs to replace oil and gas lamps. To circumvent patent conflicts, Harper sold this enterprise to General Electric in 1916.

In 1917, the Howard Incandescent Lamp Corporation was formally established in Newark, New Jersey, with Harper as its founder. The company’s early offerings were aimed at the automotive sector, including headlamps, pilot lights, and flashlight bulbs.

Operating under a royalty-free license from General Electric, Tung-Sol Lamp Works produced tungsten-filament lamps. This B-class license mandated quota payments but prohibited exports. Alongside Chicago Miniature Lamp Company (specializing in miniature lamps) and Consolidated Electric Lamp Company (large lamps), Tung-Sol was one of the few licensed producers between 1917 and 1925. During this time, Westinghouse held the exclusive A license covering all lamp categories.

Incorporation and growth in tube production

In 1924, Tung-Sol Lamp Works incorporated as a manufacturer of electric bulbs featuring tungsten filaments. The company’s name derived from combining “tungsten” with the Latin word “sol,” meaning sun. Harvey Harper served as president while overseeing the development of radio tubes at the Newark factory. By 1930, Tung-Sol Radio Tubes Inc had become an authorized RCA licensee. In 1935, Clyde C. Bohner, Vice President of Engineering, contributed to company literature advocating radio tube advancements.

Throughout the 1930s and early 1940s, Tung-Sol produced miniature dial lamps in various specifications and continued supplying radio tubes to broadcasting stations under Vice President of Sales R. E. Carlson. By 1948, approximately 600 employees worked at the Newark facility, with nearly half coming from the local Italian-American community. The company maintained several sales offices nationwide to support its growing market reach.

Growth during the 1920s through 1940s

Entering the electronics arena in the 1920s, Tung-Sol initially distributed lamps through wholesalers such as Independent Light and Wire Inc based in New York City. By June 1926, the company expanded by acquiring neighboring properties adjacent to its plant on 8th Street. Establishing itself as a prominent vacuum tube developer and manufacturer, Tung-Sol competed directly with RCA and Sylvania. In 1935, it issued the publication "Around the World with Tung-Sol World Radio Log," highlighting its tubes and service network.

In October 1935, Tung-Sol increased its capital by issuing 210,000 no-par preferred shares carrying cumulative dividends alongside 500,000 common shares. By 1941, many American broadcast stations utilized Tung-Sol radio tubes extensively. During World War II, the company produced military-grade tubes such as the JAN 703A ultra-high frequency triode under Joint-Army-Navy contracts.

Approved by the American Institute of Physics in 1944, Tung-Sol actively participated in industry conferences; notably, in 1948 C. Everett Coon delivered a presentation on electron tube applications at an IEEE gathering. Correspondence from 1949 with MIT Lincoln Laboratory regarding life testing of the miniature twin triode model 5687—manufactured to military standards at the Bloomfield plant—underscored Tung-Sol’s involvement in advanced defense electronics projects like the Whirlwind I computer system. The JAN designation identified Joint-Army-Navy military-standard tubes distinct from civilian versions.

Post-war growth

From 1941 to 1946, Tung-Sol considerably increased its production capacity and equipment for miniature and sealed beam lamps. This expansion was financed by a $1 million secured loan obtained in 1945 to support post-war development. In 1946, the company listed a manufacturing facility in Brooklyn and purchased an electronic tube plant in Pennsylvania, which had previously been leased for wartime production. Due to labor shortages following the war, machinery was transferred from idle plants in Brooklyn and Newark to the Pennsylvania site. By 1946, Tung-Sol’s expenditures reached $1.6 million, doubling the number of non-owned facilities compared to 1941, while producing its own machinery and glass-blown miniature bulbs and sourcing bases from General Electric and Westinghouse.

1950s

By 1950, the Weatherly facility in Pennsylvania employed more than 1,300 individuals. In 1951, Tung-Sol began operating under the name Tung-Sol Electric Inc. and ventured into the semiconductor sector by introducing distinct sky blue transistors. The company contributed its vacuum tube expertise to advanced electronics endeavors such as MIT’s Whirlwind I computer project. At the Bloomfield plant, engineers were recruited to develop circuitry involving electron tubes and semiconductors in response to increasing transistor demand; preference was given to candidates holding degrees in electrical or electronic engineering or physics, even if they lacked direct experience.

Between 1951 and 1953, the semiconductor industry expanded from four to fifteen manufacturers, with Tung-Sol among eight leading transistor producers maintaining its vacuum tube operations. In 1953, Tung-Sol Lamp Works took part in the Armed Forces Communications Association, supporting electronics manufacturing and procurement critical to national defense.

In October 1953, Tung-Sol became part of an antitrust lawsuit alongside General Electric and Westinghouse related to lamp production licensing practices dating back to the 1930s and 1940s. That same year, C. Everett Coon chaired a subcommittee that connected tube manufacturers with computer design engineers within the Joint Computer Committee.

In 1956, Tung-Sol acquired a facility in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, consolidating automotive flasher unit production. Throughout the decade, tube manufacturing continued at plants located in Bloomfield and Washington (New Jersey) as well as Weatherly (Pennsylvania). The Chatham Electronics division based in Newark produced industrial tubes and held several Department of the Army contracts by 1951.

By 1953, the Weatherly plant had manufactured its 100 millionth vacuum tube since resuming operations after World War II. Tubes marked with "MR" denoted civilian models intended for maintenance and repair purposes.

Electron tube testing

In early 1953, Tung-Sol outlined its electron tube testing methods in SIGNAL magazine under the name Wham-O. The process involved subjecting each tube to a demanding physical test where four tubes were mounted on a table that received impacts from a heavy steel ram. These jolts simulated forces equivalent to 1000 times gravity applied from all directions to verify mechanical stability and durability. This rigorous testing protocol complied with armed services’ standards for both mechanical and electrical reliability. The goal was to produce electron tubes offering superior performance with longer operational life and minimized maintenance requirements for radios, televisions, and industrial equipment.

Five Decades of Accomplishments

In 1954, commemorating half a century since the establishment of Howard Electric Novelty Company by Harvey Wilson Harper alongside Herbert C. and Herbert E. Plass, Tung-Sol celebrated this landmark through advertisements in electronics publications. The promotional campaign emphasized products such as picture tubes, the 5687, 6U8, and 5881 vacuum tubes, as well as TS2 and TS-21 semiconductor devices, under the tagline "Plus-all the technical service that goes with them." That same year marked the introduction of the DR-1XX series of germanium transistors, building upon transistor research initiated in 1953. Although vacuum tubes remained predominant in the marketplace, Tung-Sol later diversified into power transistor production. To finance expanded television tube manufacturing capacity, Tung-Sol sought to issue 100,000 preferred shares at a par value of $50 in November 1954 to secure additional capital for growth.

Growth in Semiconductor Production

Tung-Sol began developing transistor prototypes in 1953. Early in 1954, it produced the DR-XXX transistor with minimal technical specifications available. Subsequently, the DR-150—a 5-watt germanium output transistor—was launched; however, its specific applications and distribution details are not well documented. In 1955, Tung-Sol introduced the circular "TS-16X" series, which may represent the earliest use of the brand’s distinctive "Baby-Blue" finish.

By 1956, the company obtained $12 million in bank financing aimed at expanding its inventory holdings. The following year saw the release of transistors capable of dissipating 15 watts—specifically models "TS612" and "TS613"—intended for switching applications and housed in TO-3 packages. The "TS614" model was added early in 1957. These devices corresponded with Motorola’s 2N-61X numbering scheme, indicating a potential collaboration between the companies. In transitioning from vacuum tube technology to solid-state components during 1958, Tung-Sol encountered difficulties mastering semiconductor manufacturing techniques.

The June 1958 edition of the Computer Directory and Buyer's Guide listed Tung-Sol among manufacturers specializing in electron tubes, semiconductors, miniature lamps, diodes, and germanium transistors. Its semiconductor production facility was located at 545 North Arlington Avenue in East Orange, New Jersey. By 1960, Tung-Sol became a member of the Electron Tube Information Council alongside prominent firms such as CBS, GE, and RCA; C. Everett Coon represented Tung-Sol during collaborative efforts to publish comparative analyses between tubes and transistors.

In May 1961, Electronic Technician magazine and directory identified Tung-Sol as a manufacturer based at 1 Summer Avenue in Newark, New Jersey—operating alongside Chatham Electronics—and providing technicians with components and detailed service information.

Distribution Network and Sales Offices

During its initial engagement in radio tube sales, Tung-Sol implemented a consignment system enabling dealers to stock tubes without immediate payment obligations; dealers settled accounts only after completing sales. This strategy supported a nationwide network comprising approximately 8,000 dealers and was reinforced by sales offices situated in major metropolitan areas including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Kansas City, Los Angeles, New York City, plus headquarters in Newark. Tung-Sol maintained pricing competitive with leading industry brands while promoting its Tone-flow line of radio tubes on a national scale. Dealers operating under this consignment franchise model held responsibility for local sales efforts. The program’s guiding principle was expressed as: "You don't pay until you've sold your tubes."

Advertising campaigns were handled by E.M. Freystadt Associates, Inc., which created promotional materials for industry magazines such as Signal (1953) and Tele-Tech (1954), featuring detailed illustrations of vacuum tubes along with technical specifications. Earlier radio advertisements trace back to 1941, linking this agency closely with radio tube marketing initiatives. By 1958, Chilton's Motor Age directory listed Tung-Sol sales offices throughout the United States and Canada including locations in Atlanta, Columbus, Culver City, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Irvington, Melrose Place (Illinois), Newark, Philadelphia, Seattle, and Montreal.

In June 1959, Neil Uptegrove assumed the role of advertising and sales promotion manager. By October that year, electronic sales operations were organized into regional divisions: Newark (headquarters/Eastern region), Melrose Place (Central), Culver City (West Coast), Dallas (Southwest), and Seattle (Pacific Northwest). December 1959 saw the establishment of Tung-Sol Sales Corp., a Canadian subsidiary managed by E. Leslie Peter tasked with broadening distribution across Canada.

Between 1954 and 1966, Richard W. Vieser progressed from sales manager to division manager at Chatham Electronics Corporation based in Livingston, New Jersey—later acquired as a subsidiary—and continued his leadership role within Tung-Sol’s organizational structure.

Passing of the founder

A significant turning point for Tung-Sol occurred in 1958 when founder and chairman Harvey Harper died on November 23 at the age of 80. Following his death, Milton R. Schulte assumed the role of president, Louis Rieben was promoted to chairman, and Frank J. Ehringer became General Manager of the automotive products division.

Trade challenges

On July 27, 1962, the Federal Trade Commission lodged a complaint against Tung-Sol Electric, Inc. and Tung-Sol Sales Corporation, accusing them of violating the Clayton Act by implementing discount policies that favored certain distributors over others in the automotive flasher market. In 1963, a ruling required consistent net pricing among competing buyers. The FTC found no pricing violations concerning miniature or sealed beam lamps, attributing this to competition from companies like General Electric and Westinghouse.

Merger attempt with Purolator Products and stock decline

In mid-1963, directors from both Tung-Sol and Purolator Products, Inc. approved a merger proposal involving Purolator exchanging its preferred stock for Tung-Sol common shares. Although their product lines—Purolator’s oil filters and Tung-Sol’s automotive headlights—were complementary, the merger collapsed on August 5 due to undisclosed complications. Following Purolator's announcement, Tung-Sol’s stock price plunged sharply, prompting Purolator to increase its share acquisitions amid allegations of market manipulation.

On September 4, Purolator launched a tender offer to purchase 200,000 shares at $22 each—a premium of 27.55% above market value—which Tung-Sol’s management rejected as insufficient relative to the company’s book value and earnings prospects, interpreting it as a low-cost takeover attempt. A federal court injunction on September 13 prohibited Purolator from acquiring additional shares. Despite this restriction, Purolator pursued the tender offer until its deadline on September 26, maintaining visibility through advertisements in financial media.

Shutdowns of manufacturing facilities

In 1962, Tung-Sol Electric, Inc. revealed plans to close its tube manufacturing plant in Washington and relocate those operations to Weatherly. Between 1962 and 1963, the company also terminated activities at its East Orange transistor plant and cathode ray tube operations, which negatively affected half-year earnings due to excess expenses. Tube production at the Weatherly facility ended on January 1, 1966; however, the plant retained 125 employees for other product lines without announcing imminent closure plans. Shortly thereafter, Tung-Sol was acquired by Wagner Electric, which itself merged into Studebaker-Worthington in 1967. The Orange Street factory continued operating until Wagner sold the site in 1976, concluding production of directional signal flashers, relays, silicon rectifiers, and power supplies.

Electron tube reliability issues

In 1966, Tung-Sol provided electron tubes for the SLAC-71 UC-28 particle accelerator project. A subsequent evaluation reported warranty failures involving 25 tubes and a total of 60 tubes malfunctioning across both the accelerator and test stands. Additionally, around 28 small trigger thyratrons experienced operational failures. While not all defects were attributed solely to Tung-Sol products, their tubes demonstrated an average lifespan of approximately 1,400 hours compared to I.T.T.’s tubes averaging 1,800 hours. As a result, Litton Industries was awarded the contract for supplying new tubes during the third quarter of 1966.

Tung-Sol Canada labor disputes

In 1964, a labor arbitration arose involving United Electrical Workers Local 512 and Tung-Sol of Canada Ltd., centered on seniority disagreements during a strike that lasted from September 9 to 25, 1963, at the Ontario facility. Approximately in 1967, another labor stoppage took place, this time related to pension concerns.

Following Wagner's acquisition, a subsequent contract with United Electrical Workers Local 513 was established, covering the period from May 26, 1969, to May 23, 1971. This agreement was reached after prolonged negotiations and strikes and encompassed various departments including warehousing, plant maintenance, production equipment upkeep, setup and tending roles, factory time workers, among others.

According to the 1975 Canadian Metals Industry directory, the Canadian manufacturing site was officially situated at 391 Orenda Rd, Brampton, Ontario. Tung-Sol sourced materials such as stainless steel rods and bars, copper extrusions, aluminum profiles, nickel alloys, and other components utilized for stamping, drawing, welding, and surface finishing processes.

Another facility located in Bramalea, Ontario operated under Wagner’s management but has limited mid-20th century documentation. In 1980, employees at this plant initiated a nationalist-themed strike marked by performances of "O Canada" and "Solidarity Forever," reflecting underlying frictions between Canadian workers and American corporate leadership.

Constructed around 1962, the Brampton plant faced closure on October 1, 1980. Initial severance offers were deemed inadequate by both workers and the surrounding community. In response, striking employees barricaded themselves within the premises until severance negotiations resulted in a roughly sixfold increase in compensation. By mid-September 1980, the majority of staff had agreed to the updated severance conditions.

The former Bramalea site currently functions as a distribution center for Polar Pak, a brand under Novolex.

Wagner Electric activities

Between 1966 and 1979, Richard W. Vieser progressed through several leadership positions at Chatham/Tung-Sol: division general manager (1966–1970), vice president (1970), group vice president (1971–1973), president (1973–1974), and CEO (1974–1979). In April 1973, Wagner Electric Corp. was designated as a Planned Emergency Producer with multiple Tung-Sol Division plants—including those in Boyertown, Hazleton, Newark, Weatherly, and Livingston—listed as capable of rapid military mobilization of products.

In 1980, Wagner ceased operations at its Canadian facility in Brampton near Toronto, which was part of Wagner Brake and Lighting Products. Despite the shutdown, eighteen employees remained employed in administrative and warehouse capacities. This location had formerly operated as Tung-Sol before its acquisition by Wagner and subsequently McGraw-Edison. Documentation regarding this site as an active Tung-Sol plant during the 1950s or 1960s is sparse.

Studebaker business developments

Studebaker briefly became part of Wagner Electric in 1967. The merger was announced on January 22 and received shareholder approval on May 11; both companies experienced stock price increases following the announcement. Soon thereafter, Studebaker merged with Lee Filter Group on June 14, broadening Wagner’s business scope. Later that year on November 28, Studebaker combined with Worthington Corporation to establish Studebaker-Worthington.

By 1976, only two facilities remained exclusively dedicated to lamp assembly within Studebaker-Worthington; none focused solely on fabrication or other lamp-related operations. The company engaged in multiple acquisitions and divestitures up through 1979. On May 24 of that year, Richard Vieser was appointed executive vice president of Studebaker-Worthington. Between July and September, various acquisition interests surfaced until McGraw-Edison successfully launched a tender offer acquiring a substantial portion of the company's shares.

McGraw-Edison operations

In 1979, the electrical equipment manufacturer McGraw-Edison Co. purchased Studebaker-Worthington, including its Wagner Division, and subsequently shut down the Hazleton facility. Richard Vieser held the position of executive vice president at Studebaker-Worthington in 1979 and maintained this role at McGraw-Edison until 1984. Additionally, on September 27, 1979, William S. Kingsolver was appointed executive vice president alongside Vieser.

A report from 1982 indicated that Edison International managed a branch of Tung-Sol International Corporation responsible for distributing headlights and flashers in Bramalea, Ontario—a location notable for Canadian labor strikes involving Wagner in 1980.

Cooper Industries operations

In May 1985, Cooper Industries completed the acquisition of former Wagner manufacturing sites for $1.1 billion, which included $300 million in assumed debt. Among the nine facilities acquired under the Wagner Division were two Pennsylvania plants—Weatherly and Boyertown—the only ones originally established by Tung-Sol Lamp Works. During the transition period from Wagner to Cooper between 1984 and 1985, Richard Vieser acted as president and chief operating officer before moving on to other executive positions later that year. His leadership credentials extended to board memberships at companies such as Varian Associates, Control Data Corporation, Dresser Industries, Sybron Corporation, Indresco, and Berg Electronics.

Federal-Mogul operations

Federal-Mogul Corporation purchased Cooper Industries Inc.'s automotive division in August 1998 for $1.9 billion, announcing plans to close the Boyertown plant by the end of 2010—thereby concluding Tung-Sol’s manufacturing heritage dating back to 1945.

In 2003, Federal-Mogul declared the closure of its Hampton, Virginia facility located in Copeland Industrial Park, which resulted in 260 job losses affecting lamp manufacturers, technicians, and quality assurance personnel.

The Weatherly Borough issued a stormwater discharge permit related to construction on Federal-Mogul property in April 2005. By August 2009, satellite imagery from Google Maps depicted the Weatherly site at 75 West Main Street as vacant land. Formerly known as Plane Street, this site was designated as a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency superfund contaminant location under EPA ID PAN000304896.

In March 2016, the Weatherly Borough Council approved the sale of a portion of the former Tung-Sol property for grocery store development; however, no further public details regarding Federal-Mogul’s plant closure have been reported.

Tung-Sol operated with a private-laboratory approach, earning distinction for producing high-quality vacuum tubes through advanced metallurgical and chemical manufacturing processes.

Manufacturing plants

By 1950, General Electric dominated the U.S. miniature incandescent lamp market with a 53.4% share of sales, while Tung-Sol accounted for approximately 19.8%.

Throughout the 1950s, Tung-Sol maintained several manufacturing locations:

Facility	Location	Address	Years Active	Products	Remarks
1	Bloomfield, New Jersey	200 Bloomfield Ave	1946–1971	cathodes	Electron Tube Division; likely closed around 1971
2	Weatherly, Pennsylvania	Plane Street	1944–1990s/2000s?	tubes for walkie-talkies, bomb sighting devices, automotive flashers, electronic switches, circuit breakers	Previously Read & Lovatt Silk Mill; later closed
3	Newark, New Jersey	370–386 Orange Street	1935–1976	automotive headlamps and signal flashers	Original structure built in 1915; closed and repurposed by late 2010s
4	Boyertown, Pennsylvania	400 E. Second Street	1945–2010	various products	Closed during Federal-Mogul ownership; building later used for wiping cloth production after 2010
5	Newark, New Jersey	95 8th Avenue	1917–1960s?		Originally Howard Incandescent Lamp Corp.; closed prior to Interstate 280 construction

On January 23, 1953, the Weatherly plant celebrated producing its hundred millionth tube but had discontinued tube manufacturing by January 1966.

A Tung-Sol advertisement from 1953 showcased a broad product lineup including all-glass sealed lamps, miniature bulbs, signal flashers, picture tubes, radio and television tubes, as well as specialized electron tubes.

During the mid-1950s, Gera Corporation (previously Gera Mills) transitioned from textiles into electronics by acquiring Chatham Electronics for $2 million. Chatham specialized in power and hydrogen thyratron tubes with operations in Newark and Livingston, New Jersey. By 1958–59, Chatham Electronics functioned as a division of Tung-Sol producing heavy-duty RF power tubes and radiation detection tubes with sales offices nationwide.

By April 1959, Tung-Sol’s facilities—including those in Bloomfield; Boyertown; Newark (both 8th Avenue and Orange Street); Weatherly; Washington; and Livingston—were registered as Planned Emergency Producers prepared for military mobilization efforts.

Due to decreased demand for tubes, approximately 600 workers were laid off at Weatherly in early 1965; tube production ceased there by January of the following year.

Around 1970, Tung-Sol International Corporation maintained operations in Bramalea, Ontario—a Canadian industrial park also home to major companies such as Ford Motor Company of Canada and Northern Electric—demonstrating its manufacturing presence across North America.

Products

By 1935, Tung-Sol was engaged in manufacturing radio tubes and providing radio set maintenance, using advertising slogans such as "A radio is no better than its tubes, retube with Tung-Sol."

In 1953, the product lineup included all-glass sealed lamps, miniature bulbs, signal flashers, picture tubes, radio and television tubes, specialized electron tubes, as well as semiconductor devices. By 1955, Tung-Sol promoted its automotive lighting products through a comic book titled The Light that Failed.

The Weatherly facility shifted focus from tube production to transistor manufacturing and subsequently produced cables for companies like IBM and Xerox. In 1987, the plant generated approximately $10 million in revenue, assembling 3 million plastic-sealed automotive headlights at the Boyertown site and fabricating 2,000 aircraft power supplies. Additionally, it produced hydraulic brake system parts for industrial vehicles.

In 1988, Wagner partnered with Chrysler to develop plastic headlights designed for aerodynamic vehicles. Although the Boyertown plant was not designated to produce these headlights, Weatherly intended to commence manufacturing and planned to hire between 25 and 35 new workers.

Automotive

Tung-Sol was a pioneer in automotive lighting technology, introducing the first effective car headlight in 1907 and later inventing the dual-filament high/low beam headlight in 1913. The company also created the flashing turn signal, marketed under the name Safety Pilot Indicator to guarantee proper signal operation.

In Canada, Tung-Sol manufactured a left-hand traffic sealed beam headlight featuring an integrated rear parking light section, produced under a partnership with LUCAS.

Flashers

According to the April 20, 1954 General Motors Lamps and Lamp Parts Bulletin 8A-100, Tung-Sol offered signal flashers for directional and warning purposes. Directional flashers operated at a rate of 80 to 100 flashes per minute, while warning flashers functioned between 60 and 80 flashes per minute for lamps rated at 32 or 50 candlepower. Lamps rated at 21 and 15 candlepower flashed at speeds ranging from 80 to 100 times per minute depending on voltage. These flashers were utilized in vehicles from the 1939 Buick model through various GM, Ford, and Chrysler models up to 1954.

Lamps

Tung-Sol collaborated with Corning Glassworks to manufacture bulb sleeves for incandescent lamps using Corning’s ribbon cutting machines—a technique largely controlled by General Electric at the time. Corning primarily supplied smaller lamp manufacturers. These ribbon machines enabled production rates of up to 120,000 small automotive bulbs per hour.

Vision-Aid headlamps were available in the standard 7-inch size suitable for traffic and weather-related uses.

The 1959 A-21 Lamp Catalog provided detailed specifications for a total of 284 miniature and sealed beam lamps.

Prior to 1964, headlight lamps displayed the "TUNG-SOL" branding; after that year, they bore "TS" above the words "SEALED BEAM." Tung-Sol also produced replacement lamps for Atlas Supply Company that featured the Atlas logo above "SEALED BEAM" to distinguish them from Westinghouse and General Electric products. A top number "1" signified a high beam lamp; "2" indicated low or twin beam lamps. Only the 5.75-inch lamps were marked as either high or low beam; the 7-inch versions were twin beam models marked with a "2."

From approximately 1967 until October 1974, American Motors Corporation equipped all of its passenger cars with Tung-Sol headlights.

Tung-Sol additionally manufactured right-hand drive lamps for supplier LUCAS, marked with the LUCAS logo on the front and stamped with T-S plus the model number on the rear. For instance, model number 7002 was a 7-inch beam rated at 60 volts and capable of handling 45 amps, commonly used in British vehicles.

Electronics

Tung Sol Electric, Inc., based in Newark, provided electron tubes for the IBM 701 Data Processing System, a military-oriented scientific computer introduced in 1952.

A 1953 advertisement in Signal magazine emphasized Tung-Sol's exclusive dedication to manufacturing tubes, deliberately excluding sets and other equipment.

In 1954, Tung-Sol introduced the 6550 vacuum tube, designed specifically as a high-fidelity audio tube.

The Hewlett-Packard MODEL 650A Test Oscillator manual from 1956 listed Tung-Sol as a supplier of replacement parts, although it did not specify which components applied to that particular model.

On October 1, 1959, Tung-Sol published a Price List for electron tubes aimed at commercial and governmental bulk purchasers. The catalog divided its inventory with approximately 43% allocated to industrial, special-purpose, and military tubes, while the remaining 57% covered receiving tubes and their corresponding model numbers.

28VS200BL

The 28VS200BL transformer-rectifier weighed less than 16 pounds and measured 5" x 7" x 11". It was engineered for DC power conversion within the North American A3J Vigilante military aircraft. Chatham, a division of Tung-Sol, was recognized as a prominent supplier of airborne power conversion units, delivering two devices rated at 200 Amps each.

2N transistors

In early 1957, Tung-Sol commercially offered the initial RTMA/Jedec "2N" series transistors—specifically the 2N63, 2N64, and 2N65 models—likely serving as a secondary source for Raytheon. Among these germanium power transistors, the 2N65 featured the highest gain.

2N174 transistor

Tung-Sol manufactured the TO-36 style transistor known as the 2N174. This device acted as a secondary source for Delco's version and was easily identified by its unique baby-blue casing.

2N441 transistor

As a second source for certain Delco TO-36 transistors, Tung-Sol produced the 2N441 model, distinguished by its characteristic baby-blue exterior.

3B28

The 3B28 was a half-wave rectifier filled with Xenon gas and capable of operating in any orientation within an ambient temperature range from -75° to +90 °C. It had an inverse peak anode voltage rating of 10,000 volts and an average current rating of 0.25 amps. Its filament operated at 2.5 volts and drew 5 amps. Manufactured by Chatham Electronics under Gera Corporation in February 1956, it complied with military specification MIL-E-1 as model 765B and bore JAN markings. According to Tung-Sol’s October 1959 price list, it was offered at a government bulk rate of $3.70.

4B32

The 4B32 shared similar voltage and temperature characteristics with the 3B28 but supported higher filament specifications of 5 volts and 7.5 amps. Produced at Chatham’s Livingston facility in February 1956, it met MIL-E-1 specification number 891 and carried JAN branding. Its government bulk price in Tung-Sol’s October 1959 catalog was $7.50.

5594

Chatham Electronics promoted the Xenon thyratron model 5594 in August 1954, which operated reliably between -55° and +90 °C. Listed under brand X in Tung-Sol’s 1959 price guide as a "Xenon High Voltage Thyratron," this component was manufactured at Livingston with a government bulk price of $12.60.

5651-WA

The military-grade voltage reference tube designated as the 5651-WA delivered stable performance suited for demanding applications and met both commercial and military standards. Produced by Chatham at Livingston in February 1956 under Gera Corporation oversight, it conformed to MIL-E-1 specification number 825A and featured JAN branding. Tung-Sol’s October 1959 price list described it as a "Rugged Miniature 87V Reference tube," priced at $2.50 for government bulk orders.

5881

Debuting in 1950 from Tung-Sol, the 5881 is a beam power tube engineered as an enhanced direct substitute for the 6L6. It delivers increased power capacity in amplifiers originally designed for the 6L6, with plate and screen dissipation capabilities rated at 120% compared to the 6L6. Tung-Sol's U.S.-produced 5881 tubes incorporate gold-plated control grids to diminish emission and utilize carbon-treated screen grids to reduce secondary emission while boosting thermal emissivity. The cathode sleeve consists of pure electrolytic nickel, and the anode is constructed from carbon-treated, extra-thick nickel coated with zirconium paint to absorb gases generated by overheating. Design features such as a button stem, dual mica supports, and a shorter tube length contribute to superior mechanical durability relative to the 6L6. Into the 21st century, various manufacturers continue producing 5881 tubes to satisfy demand for both repair and new device fabrication.

5R4WGB

The 5R4WGB, manufactured circa February 1956, is a full-wave rectifier conforming to MIL-E-1B military reliability standards. Produced by Chatham Electronics, a subsidiary of Gera Corporation based in Livingston, it was cataloged under military specification MIL-E-1 as type 116A with JAN marking. The government bulk price was set at $5.27 per unit. This rugged high-voltage full-wave vacuum rectifier was specifically marketed for military use.

6U8

The 6U8 receiver tube integrates a triode and pentode within a single envelope and was primarily designed for use as a local oscillator mixer in television and FM radio receivers. The pentode section serves multiple functions including video amplification, intermediate frequency (I.F.) amplification, sync separation, or sound limiting, while the triode section operates as a sync clipper or vertical/horizontal oscillator. Its low-level local oscillator voltage injection provides substantial gain with minimal oscillator radiation emitted from TV receivers. A variant named 6U8A was produced at Tung-Sol’s Weatherly facility in October 1959 but did not have military specification certification.

6336

The 6336 twin triode, intended for voltage regulation applications, features high plate dissipation capacity and a hard glass envelope construction. Initially manufactured at the Livingston plant under Gera Corporation ownership, production shifted to Chatham Electronics by February 1956. The military-specification-compliant version, designated 6336A with MIL-E-1 approval and labeled as 704B-NAVY with USN branding, appeared in Tung-Sol’s October 1959 price list at $11.50 per unit in bulk packaging and was promoted as "Long Life Rugged 6336."

6394

The 6394 twin triode resembles the 6336 but operates with a heater voltage of 26.5 volts instead of the standard 6.3 volts. This model was advertised by Chatham Electronics in August 1954. The commercial version, known as the 6394A without military certification, was priced at $22.70 according to Tung-Sol’s 1959 catalog; it was produced at Livingston and carried the X brand.

6528

The 6528 regulator tube is a medium-mu twin triode designed for high current applications, offering low current drop alongside heightened control sensitivity that simplifies circuitry and allows for lower range control adjustments. Each tube is rated for a maximum plate dissipation of 60 watts and a maximum plate voltage of 400 volts. Marketed commercially under the X brand, it was listed in Tung-Sol’s 1959 price guide at $21.85 per individual tube or $13.00 when purchased in bulk.

6550

The 6550 is a beam power tube launched by Tung-Sol in 1954, primarily intended for audio frequency power amplification. Classified as a power pentode or beam pentode, it initially had a plate dissipation rating of 35 watts, which was later increased to 42 watts. The screen dissipation is specified at 6 watts. To minimize electron emission, the control grid is coated with gold plating. Its beam confining electrode design and octal base pin configuration are similar to those of the 6L6. In amplifier circuits, a pair of 6550 tubes can produce output power up to 100 watts. By 1959, the tube was being manufactured at Tung-Sol’s Bloomfield, New Jersey facility and featured a compact ST-16 glass envelope.

RCA also produced the 6550 tube, while General Electric offered the 6550-A variant with identical electrical characteristics but housed in a T-14 straight-sided envelope. Philips/ECG manufactured this tube within the United States as well. Presently, multiple global manufacturers continue producing 6550 tubes to support both replacement needs and new audio equipment designs.

703A

The 703A tube was a transmitting triode equivalent to Western Electric’s 703 A model. It operated with a filament voltage of 1.15 V and filament current of 4.5 A. Designed as a "door-knob" style UHF transmitting triode, it was suitable for use as an oscillator, amplifier, or mixer operating up to frequencies of 1500 MHz. The tube supported an anode dissipation of 20 watts and was produced by both Western Electric and Tung-Sol, with datasheets dating back to 1943. Available in both metal and graphite anode configurations, the 703A was primarily utilized in military radar applications.

EI-4

Introduced by Tung-Sol in 1962, the EI-4 thyratron was developed for use in capacitor discharge ignition (CDI) systems as well as electronic ignition applications.

CH1027

The Curristor CH1027 series consisted of nitrogen-filled radioactive constant-current vacuum tubes that maintained steady current plateaus over voltages ranging from 25 to 500 V. These all-glass tubes with wire leads incorporated 226Ra (half-life approximately 1601 years) as the radioactive source and were employed in missile timing circuits, instrumentation biasing, and current reference functions:

• CH1027-9 – Current level of 10⁻⁹ A with radioactivity of 18.75 μCi
• CH1027-10 – Current level of 10⁻¹⁰ A with radioactivity of 1.875 μCi
• CH1027-11 – Current level of 10⁻¹¹ A with radioactivity of 187.5 nCi
• CH1027-12 – Current level of 10⁻¹² A with radioactivity of 18.75 nCi

SC-102

Chatham Electronics developed the SC-102 scintillation counter which utilized a thallium-doped sodium iodide crystal coupled to a photomultiplier tube to transform radiation events into detectable light pulses. Its noise rejection circuitry allowed for accurate radiation measurements with analog output signals. The SC-102 found practical use in fields such as oil exploration, well logging, ore assay analysis, and uranium prospecting.

TS176

The TS176 was a Tung-Sol transistor device sharing its designation period with Motorola’s TO-3 "2N-176" power transistor; both were distinguished by their unique baby-blue finish. This transistor remained listed in inventories for several years following its release.

TS612

Introduced by 1957, the TS612 was a TO-3 package power transistor rated for heat dissipation of 15 watts, corresponding electrically to Motorola’s 2N-612 part number.

TS613

Also appearing around 1957, the TS613 was a TO-3 package power transistor designed for switching applications with a dissipation rating of 15 watts; it matched Motorola’s equivalent model number, the 2N-613.

TS614

In early 1957, Tung-Sol introduced the TS614, a TO-3 package power transistor capable of dissipating 15 watts. This device corresponded with Motorola's 2N-614 designation system.

VC-1258

Manufactured at the Livingston facility in Chatham under Gera Corporation, the VC-1258 miniature hydrogen thyratron debuted in February 1956. Engineered for pulse generation applications, it supported a peak pulse power of 10 kW. Complying with military standard MIL-E-1, the VC-1258 was listed as model 131C with JAN marking in Tung-Sol’s October 1, 1959 price catalog. It was offered at a government bulk rate of $18.90 and described as a "miniature hydrogen thyratron, 10kw peak pulse power."

TV damper tubes

Tung-Sol produced high-voltage television damper tubes that incorporated electrophoretically coated heater peaks alongside insulated coils to boost durability and operational efficiency. Their copper core plates optimized heat dissipation while reducing back emission effects, which helped prevent arcing and shortened warm-up intervals. Promoted for their robust construction and reliable performance under challenging conditions, notable models included 6/12AF3, 6DA4A, 6/12/17AX4GTB, 6DE4, 6/19AU4GTA, 6V3A, 6/25W4GT, and 12D4A as featured in the May 1961 issue of Electronics Technician magazine.

Tung-Sol brand in Russian fabrication

The Tung-Sol trademark (serial number 76411877) was acquired by New Sensor Corporation of Long Island, New York on May 24, 2002. Currently, New Sensor owns the Tung-Sol brand along with Sovtek and Electro-Harmonix, maintaining its heritage in electron tube manufacturing and related product lines.

External links

• Tung-Sol new products and vintage information
• Reviews of KT88 tubes.
• Tung-Sol 1935 Radio Guide
• Complete 1948 Technical Data Book (vacuum tube manual)—28 MB PDF, 1028 pages
• Electronic Design October 1953 —75 pages featuring Tung-Sol tube 5881 ad.
• Electronic Designs July 15, 1956 —160 pages featuring Chatham tube 5998 ad.
• Electronic Designs August 8, 1956—165 pages featuring Miniature VR Tube Type 6627/OB2WA info and tube 6080WA ad.
• TS October 1, 1959 tube price list—6 pages
• TS tube technical data—242 pages
• 1963 Report Hydrogen Thyratron Tube—30 pages on ceramic-metal design
• Tung-Sol Transistor guide