What Is the Liquid in a Bubble Light?

Bubble lights, like lava lamps, heat the oil contained in the lamp, until it boils.

Bubble lights have been around since the end of World War II. Their appeal lies in their ability to heat up a small amount of colored liquid to produce a unique effervescent effect.

Bubble Physics

Bubble lights consist of long, slender vials filled with a colored liquid, with an incandescent bulb beneath the vial to heat the liquid, causing it to boil. They work best when the vial stands upright and the top of the tube is cooler than the base, allowing for an increased pressure gradient that keeps the bubbles moving. Sluggish bubble lights occasionally require tapping, after warming up, to encourage bubbling action.

Shape, Color and Sparkle

The bubble light vials are usually clear, whereas the base is made from opaque red, yellow, blue or green plastic or may be shaped like Santa's elves, snowmen or other themes. Red, yellow, blue and green liquid fills the vials, though some contain liquid and are lit by colored bulbs. A more modern trend is to add glitter, which is stirred up by the bubbles and adds extra sparkle when the bulbs are lit.

The Bubble Light Liquid

Lightweight oil initially filled bubble lights. As of 2010, the vials contain methylene chloride, which has a low boiling point for obtaining rapid bubble action when warmed.

References

• Christmas Central: Christmas Bubble Lights
• Nicolae Sfetcu: Bubble Lights
• Christmas Lights: Christmas Bubble Lights

Resources

• Old Christmas Tree Lights: The History of Bubble Lights
• Christmas Decorations and Gift Store: Christmas Lights and Holiday Lights
• Google: Carl S. Otis Patent and Diagram, Ornamental Illuminating Device