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rare all original documented carbon arc spotlight fixture from the non-extant chicago stadium discovered in warehouse

among the rare light fixtures housed in the urban remains collection is an early 1920's "arctype"auditorium spotlight lamp, an original fixture which represents lighting technology developed during the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, which was replaced by the incandescent spotlight. the carbon arc lamp was the first widely-used type of electric lighting and commercially successful form of electric lamp; it was first used for street and factory lighting, as it was extremely bright and could flood large areas with light. it also found application in film production and theater, and in projectors. they began to be phased out after the 1910's, at least as general lighting (but continued to be used as spotlights). 

the lamp house was likely mounted on a bracket or a telescopic wrought iron stand where it was suspended by a cast aluminum yoke. the lamp housing is made of wellsville polished iron, double lined on both sides and triple lined top with front and rear plates  of aluminum. the 3/4 inch air space between each lining for ventilation carries away the heat. the hinged drop or dump door in the back of the lamp house retains the original arc lamp with old carbons left inside. the condenser lens is original and intact.

the fixture was salvaged from the non-extant chicago stadium, that was replaced ten years ago by the modernized united center. the chicago stadium at 1800 w. madison, was an indoor arena opened in 1929 at a cost of over $7 million, as the largest structure of its kind. its architect was eric e. hall, a swedish immigrant and high level mason  who also designed many of the county's largest buildings-including the criminal courts building, county jail, and juvenile home.

the stadium was modeled on detroit's olympic stadium, and was the first arena to have an air conditioning system; its seating capacity was over 15,000, designed to offer affordable entrance with unobstructed views.  the arena opened with a boxing match, and thereafter played host to various sporting events, midget car races, rodeos, political conventions, concerts, water shows, races, circuses, soccer games and church services. championship hockey, basketball and football games took place inside the arena when weather prohibited outdoor events.

it was constructed with steel trusses that spanned 266 feet without supports, and boasted acoustics worthy of the noisy crowds and booming pipe organ -- a custom-built instrument that was said to have the volume of a 2500-piece military band. the exterior facade of the arena featured large electric signs, lit up on madison street and warren boulevard. near the roofline were large limestone bas-relief sculptures depicting athletes in classical poses.

the chicago stadium was first raised by west side promoter paddy harmon, who aimed to bring big-time hockey to the windy city. in 1909, harmon had been instrumental in building the ice palace at van buren and paulina, an ice skating and hockey venue. harmon was an irish immigrant who hustled a number of odd jobs in his youth before becoming a respected dance hall manager by the 1920's. prior to the building of chicago stadium, the city's main indoor sports and exhibition center was the coliseum, at 1513 south wabash. in 1926, harmon began gathering investors for an ambitious sports stadium that would surpass existing venues. after several years of gathering momentum from backers, and six months of rapid construction, the stadium was finally completed. its opening loughran-walker boxing match attracted around 14,000 people and initiated the life of the site. paddy harmon served as manager for less than a year, as initial revenues were lower than expected at the onset of the great depression. after 65 years of use, in 1995 owner william wirtz razed the structure in favor of building the updated united center.



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