Matchless Wonder Star #910 Double-Row Red Crystal Holiday C-9 Bulb, USA, 1930s. Extremely rare early crystal production with original box.
On May 2, 1935 Paul C. Dittman of Chicago filed an application for a patent for what he called simply "Decorative Lighting Device". In the patent he described it as "an ornamental device embodying a multiplicity of of prismatic light diffusing bodies with a light source..."
He related that while he was aware that others had patented lighted stars, his offering was different in that the light would enter the rays of the star radially, effectively refracting the light within the ray and producing a "pleasing effect."
His description of the refracted light produced by the stars was a bit of an understatement, as anyone who has seen them illuminated can attest: a lighted Matchless Wonder Star is stunningly beautiful. His patent was granted on December 8, 1936.
Paul Dittman, a German immigrant who passed through the gates of Ellis Island in New York City, worked for a time for George Westinghouse, where he got an education in the manufacturing of electric light bulbs. In 1912, Paul and his partners started the Matchless Electric Company, which was later incorporated (in 1918) "to manufacture, buy, sell and deal in electric supplies, light bulbs and radio tubes..." By 1930, the direction of the Company had changed a bit, and it was re-named The Century Lamp and Tube Company to reflect the fact that it was by this time the largest single licensee for the manufacture of RCA radio tubes. In addition to the tubes, the Company produced a large variety of small light bulbs, mainly miniature lamps that were used as indicators in telephone switch boards and various control panels, and automobile lamps as well. These lamps, an example of which is pictured below, are round, miniature based style with outside painted colors. These was even a Matchless brand set of Christmas lights available, which was a typical series string of eight cone shaped lamps.
In 1929, Mr. Dittman was the principle stockholder of a company incorporated as the D-G Electric Company, whose business was "to deal in all kinds and descriptions of electrical devices..." By 1931, the Company was renamed The Matchless Electric Company, and in 1934 the Century Lamp and Tube Company was dissolved.
The Matchless Electric Company of Chicago, Illinois made and sold these glass-prismed Christmas lights starting in about 1935, and continuing through the late 40s.The production of the Stars was a seasonal business for The Matchless Company, but Jim Dittman, inventor Paul's son, reports that the Stars were "my father's pride and joy." They were available in several sizes and many color combinations, and the glass points were made and hand cut in Czechoslovakia...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Chandeliers and Pendants
