50-60 yr old clear Christmas tree blink light strings

[WM Gee]

New here. Thanks for the addition. Stumbled upon this site. 10/27/2025

I have had in my possession several strings of "Christmas" lights that I grew up with. Born in 59.
I will upload photos shortly.
Will also include bulb type. But they are glass with a screw in base. Similar to a T 4.5 miniature bulb.
Each bulb has a "blinking diode " (?). Don't know how else to describe it.
Each bulb blinks on its own.
Each string has @ 20 sockets so you'll have 20 bulbs blinking separately.
Plug in with a transformer on each string.
No indication on transformer as to the "step down" voltage or AC to DC. Plan to get Amp/Volt meter out and see what I can find.

I understand that T 4.5 bulbs are easily obtained.
Im looking to have the blinking bulbs.

More to follow...........

Thanks

 

[ErnieHorning]

No indication on transformer as to the "step down" voltage or AC to DC.

The voltage may or may not be printed or stamped on the base of the bulbs.

 

[WM Gee]

Correct. 6-8 volt. Japan stamp also.
Bulb is cylindrical @ 1.5” long
@ 3/8 “ wide.
Screw base
both pictures I have are too big to upload.

 

[ErnieHorning]

both pictures I have are too big to upload.

https://imageresizer.com/ seems to work well, and it's free.

 

[BillW]

https://imageresizer.com/ seems to work well, and it's free.

You can also use "Photos" on Windows.

 

[tfischer]

These are older tech than I'm familiar with (before my time) but most flashing lights from the incandescent era used a bimetalic strip which heated up to break contact (then cooled to make contact again)

 

[WM Gee]

OK
Here are the Pics. E Horning, thanks for the image resizing site.

Bulb;
@1.5" long
@ 3/8" wide
Marked 6-8 Volt. Japan on the side.
Not 100% certain the bulb base is a T 4.5 or different.

First 4 show the filament and the Bi metal "heat switch"

I will do a follow up with, hopefully, a video of the lights working.

 

[tfischer]

Those are definitely old-skool and cool.