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and the Aladdin Phonograph Corp. Of these, only Johnson Laboratories proved economically successful by developing the principal of radio tuning that became the forerunner of the push-button automobile radio. This success led to the formation of the Aladdin Radio Manufacturing Company in 1925; its mission being the manufacture of transformers and related components to the burgeoning radio industry (the company became Aladdin Radio Industries in 1934; Aladdin Electronics in 1951; eventually becoming a division of Aladdin Industries).
Aladdin purchased the Lippincott Glass Factory
in Alexandria, Indiana 1926. This allowed the company to produce
its own lamp chimneys, shades, and kerosene fonts (with the
exception of mantles and wicks, most of the lamp components
had previously been contracted out). The company then carried
out extensive modernization at the plant in the early 1930's,
allowing for production of the Sani-Seald vacuum bottle, Whip-o-Lite
Parvelour shades, kerosene heaters, and an new modern line
of electric lamps with unique and diverse molds.
This expansion greatly strained company resources during the depression and labor problems of the mid-1930's. It was the strong performance of the new designs of floor lamps and electric table lamps that came to the rescue. Many of these new designs employed the unique glasses Opalique and Alacite, developed by Aladdin in Alexandria. By the beginning of World War II, Aladdin was again the premier manufacturer it had been in the teens and
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twenties. Aladdin Blue Flame Heaters, kerosene stoves, oil radiators, greenhouse heaters, and of course, their lamps were known worldwide for their quality. The company won an army contract for their light-weight midget ski-stove that could burn either leaded or white gasoline. They also produced conversion units that allowed army lanterns to burn leaded gasoline.
Victor Samuel Johnson died in August 1943. His son, V.S. Johnson jr., aged 27 at the time, was voted to succeed his father as president of Aladdin Industries, even while still serving in the army (the company was run by J.O. White and Cortland Davis until the younger Johnson's discharge in 1945). In 1965, Aladdin acquired the Stanley Line of stainless steel vacuumware from Landers Frary and Clark. Aladdin Electronic became a leader in the miniaturization of transformers and other components, supplying both NASA and military projects. The younger Johnson ran the company until his retirement in 1985. Today Aladdin Industries is still headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee.
The Collectibles
Of principal interest to collectors are the earliest lines of kerosene, and later electric, lamps and parts. Collecting is an activity closely tied to the emotions evoked by the object collected. Aladdin Lamps were at the forefront of an exciting technologic revolution that swept the country in the early 1900's. For many families, the improved lighting in homes was a first personal experience of the many changes that the
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The Aladdin Manufacturing Company
Aladdin Manufacturing Company of Muncie Indiana, also produced electric lamps with the name Aladdin. The company was founded in 1919 by O. Sacksteder, jr., and had no relationship with its competitor Aladdin Industries, a subsidiary of The Mantle Lamp Company. Collectors today refer to these lamps as Aladdin-Muncie lamps to avoid any confusion. Not always marked, some of these lamps can be identified by a paper decal sticker or string-attached tag which display the company's logo or the name Aladdin Manufacturing Co., Muncie, Indiana. Some of their lamps have the name embossed on the bottom of the cast iron lamp bases. After a contracted court battle, the trademark name was awarded to the Mantle Lamp Company in 1935. After this, the Aladdin Manufacturing company was barred from using this name. This company became General Lamps Company in 1936. It discontinued operations in 1959.
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