Bob Kyp, Carbon Filament Light Bulb Maker

Some editing and updates Oct 9 2013

Continuing on the theme of small enthusiastic businesses that may be affected negatively one way or another by the light bulb regulations:
To so-called "Progressive" political supporters this probably seem like a hankering after the Good Old Days, when it of course is simply a hankering after Choice!

Liking a lantern or old-fashioned bulb in some situations actually does not preclude liking LED panel lighting or whatever in other situations.
This seems amazingly hard to understand, by the detractors!

Turning from a lantern maker to a light bulb maker..
Bob Kyp, who died last year, was an inventor holding patents for radiometers as well as light bulbs. He had set up and run Kyp-Go, America's only carbon-filament bulb manufacture, since 1964.



As the Kyp-Go.com website expands, slightly edited:

Many, many years ago, a small boy had a dream -- a dream which became a life's work. With no high school diploma and no further formal education, Robert (Bob) Kyp was a dreamer, a tinkerer, who liked taking things apart, analyzing their workings, and fixing things. At 16 years old, Bob began working in a factory making carbon filament lamps. The experience he gained in that job and tinkering of his own, eventually led to his own company (Kyp-Go), and a US Patent for an oscillating carbon filament bulb.

Kyp-Go was founded in 1964. The business initially was operated in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, then moved to West Chicago, and then to St. Charles, Illinois where the business remained until 1992 (for 20 years). During the early years, Bob partnered with his two brothers, Jim and Tom to grow and further develop the business. In 1992, Bob moved to DeLand, FL and brought the business with him. We believe Kyp-Go to be the only manufacturer of carbon filament bulbs in the United States.
The experiments that got him started in the business continued - Bob was in his shop every day pursuing new ideas.

Apparently just released, at a preview party Chicago August 16 2012


For the Love of his Lamp
A documentary about famous American inventor Robert (Bob) Kyp and his carbon filament light bulbs, directed by his granddaughter Quinlan Kyp-Johnson (her website, more videos and artwork).




     
      Bob  and  Quinlan


Trailers, Film Sections

The documentary includes this Facebook archive 2 minute history of lighting, up to early light bulb making

A good 2 minute trailer about Bob and his light bulb making

A 3 minute trailer focusing on how others have used his invention

Finally 18 minute documentary demo, with most of the above included

Alternatively since the original post, via Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxT3X-IPsL4


Video clips and more information also available from the specific Vimeo video site or the Facebook pages for the documentary and MaLoRo production company.

Funding appeal and background description also on Indiegogo.com

Letting the Glow Flow: Lanternland

Given the recent posts on the magic of incandescents, and the "human angle" as covered in the light bulb hoarding documentary from Australia:
There are also a lot of related small enthusiastic businesses out there, family owned, and likely to be affected negatively by the light bulb regulations pushed through by Governments with the happy co-operation of profit-seeking major corporations.



As it happens, recently came across the Lanternland business in Mesa, Arizona.
From the about us page:

Hi. I’m Andrew Medway co-founder of Lanternland.

In 1979 my parents, Ronna and Sheldon Nitzky, opened Design Lighting Products, and started manufacturing hand crafted lighting near Phoenix, Arizona. Beginning with just two part time employees and eventually growing to more than 130 full time employees, they manufactured the highest quality American made lighting for more than 30 years. After selling 2nd Ave Design in 2009 Ronna and Sheldon put their passion for lighting and design to work in their newest venture, Pentimento Lighting & Furnishings in Mesa, Arizona.

In 1997, after becoming a single father with a two year old son, I made the decision to start my own online business to have the flexibility to spend more time caring for my son.

In 2011, having achieved success with own online ventures, I was asked by Ronna and Sheldon to put my online experience to work creating a website to showcase the lanterns currently being manufactured in their Arizona factory. After seeing the lanterns and realizing that these are some of the most beautiful and the highest quality lanterns being made in America today, I made the decision to join Ronna and Sheldon in co-founding Lanternland.

Andrew also has informative and enjoyable blog and facebook page, about lighting and other issues.

A few examples of Lanternland products ... from a very large collection:




To be continued shortly with a post about carbon filament maker Bob Kyp and his company, of whom a documentary was just launched, August 16, in Chicago.