Here is a fairly realistic bulb. It's one of many I have done or currently in the process of doing. There are a lot of realistic models we Brycers have access to. A lot are large, like a house, furnture, bottles and cups, and statues, but very little we seem to have of the small things. Sometimes we, or at least me, need realistic small components. So here I tried to as be as realistic with this bulb as possible. It's got all the elements of a real one.

Very well done! I remember all the things you mentioned. Sometimes it's the small things that  will make a scene great and memorable.

I am a retired electronic technician so I know what you mean...  I'll make a note on the things to do model list...  Great job you did on that tube element..   what is it?  a pendote..  it has a socket of the old camera flash bulb....

@Tom271: I think these are just halogen bulbs. I've always been a fan of glass art, and for some reason I like how many bulbs look. These two I had laying around.. I couldn't tell you who made them or what device they came from. I got a vacuum tube I'm busy modeling, and a few other bulbs I'm putting together. I got one that's just the body without a socket. A trip to walmart shows there's some that looks like what I have if I combine the body with the socket.

If you like bulbs, here's an interesting one:
http://electriclights.tripod.com/bulbs/figuralargon.htm

These are not quite the same, but here's some links:
http://www.all-lights.com/IBS/SimpleCat/Product/asp/product-id/38704.html 
http://www.boulderlightbulb.com/product_detail.asp?product_ID=228

:-)

The second one is similar to the ones in my first car's break/turning lights.

Wow, I remember doing the same thing. Very Cool results, can't wait to see the finished product.

That is a nice one. Google has some nice images. There are a few interesting sites with images of old tubes, which have "okay" views of some insides... enough to see the anode, grid, and cathode... but not a lot else of other parts.... so I might take some "artistic" liberty ;-)

35W4 if I'm not mistaken.

We used to call these 'VALVES'.........I think.....?

To me, vacuum tubes are a marvel. Here is a test render of what I shall be submitting for the glass challenge. Two images, one standard, the other HDRI.. I didn't let the HDRI complete (59%) but I'm satisfied this is the direction I shall proceed with.

Now you have tickled my interest...   I really love this theme...   Just as an suggestion..  it might be a little too dark... 

I could lighten it up... we have a few days before March 28. I'll probably add more triodes tonight, let the thing render all night. Probably have some off. I was hoping to have some spare time today to make a section of the ENIAC with the intent to have the camera angled where it looks like it's really getting into the computer. Or as a background.. blurred and all. But maybe not... time time time.

Of course you could just scrap the whole idea and invent the transistor......................:lol:

The transistor? Nah... just a fad... won't last ;-)

real nice composition....   maybe you could put in a socket...?

Thought of it.. don't know how those look yet. More research!

Your first bulb reminds me of those "peanut" bulbs that seem to be everywhere in automotive use. Something like a GE192... I wonder if they've finally gone to LEDs yet?

Vacuum tubes are cool, but I think I'm still too young to remember any examples of electronics with that type of stuff. Looking on the internet, I think nixie tubes are pretty neat too. They seem to make great retro-themed numerical displays, but seem to be hard to come by and maybe expensive. Modeling one that renders well would seem to be a challenge.

Hrm, the glow to a vacuum tube was like, really something else. It doesn't look like it would glow.. then there it is.. yet shine a light on it and what part did the glow? As a kid that was a source of mystery. But they look nice, even now days.

I think you'll get plenty of exposure to them in the future. Vacuum tubes seem to be making a comeback, especially within audio circles.

True. I think nixie tubes would be a challenge. That should be in my list of things to do, after I finish the stratocaster model. Lots of cool things that could be applied for real fantasy too. A Jules Verne theme could use old looking vacuum tubes and nixie displays, bulbs, and things probably a Tesla fan would go crazy for :-) 

Very interesting project. I hope you get it done the way you want in time for the challenge. 

I like the voltage regulator....