Build a Mad Scientist Light

The Mad Scientist Light is a simple lamp with four Edison Bulbs wired in parallel. This is my updated take on the original instructable, and honestly, the design does not deviate very much from it. That said, feel free to change it up and make it your own.

With the Mad Scientist Light, we are not actually seeing electricity, but a visualization of electrical power. The Mad Scientist light visualizes electricity by heating a filament of wire inside of a gas vacuum and exciting photons that, in turn, create light. Basically, it is a lamp. But it is a very cool looking lamp!

Yes, talking about a lamp as a device to visualize electrical power perhaps makes it sound a little more romantic than it actually is. The neat thing about this particular lamp is that it uses old fashioned Thomas Edison bulbs which have extra-long filaments, which are dim enough that you can see how they heat up and create light.

To learn more about electricity, check out the electricity lesson in my Electronics Class. If you rather just get some practical hands-on experience with lamps, you can take Paige's Lamp Class.

For the Mad Scientist Light you will need:

(x1) 9.1" x 8.1" x 4.9" wooden box
(x4) Brass flange sockets
(x4) 30 Watt Edison light bulbs
(x1) Power plug
(x2) Wire nuts
(x1) 10' of twisted pair fabric lamp cord

Measure and mark the top surface of the box such that it is divided into 9 equal boxes.

Make markings at the corners of the center square. These will be for drilling.

Drill each of the four intersecting points with a 1-5/8" hole saw to make holes for the lamp sockets.

Drill a 1/4" hole for the power cord on the side of the box in one of the bottom corners. This is to pass the power cord through.

Connect a 6" wire to each of the screw terminals on the underside of the lamp socket by stripping the insulation off the end of each wire and attaching them using the socket's screw terminals.

There should be a black and white wire pair under the fabric cover. Make sure the black and white wires are attached identically on each of the sockets.

Once all of them are wire up, assemble the light sockets by inserting the base and twisting the outer casing together.

Cut 8" of fabric cord, and strip a little insulation of the wires on each end.

Take apart the power plug and attach one end of the power cord using the plug's screw terminals.

Reassemble the plug.

Pass the plug's cord through the 1/4" hole in the box towards the inside.

Now is time to wire together all of the sockets in parallel with the power cord.

To begin, strip the insulation off the ends of all of the wires.

Bring together all of white wires from the lamp socket, as well as the white wire from the power cord. Twist a wire nut over the wires and give it a very gentle tug to make certain it is locked in place. Finally, attach a zip tie just below the wire nut as strain relief and to prevent any of the wires from falling out individually.

Repeat this process for all of the black wires from the sockets and power cord.

The wiring for the lamp should now be complete.

Twist a flange onto each of the sockets so that the face of the flange is facing upwards.

Pass the sockets through the box from the bottom until the bottom flanges catch.

Twist the top flange onto each of the sockets to hold them in place.

Insert Edison bulbs into each of the sockets.

Plug it in and enjoy.

If you are inspired to learn more about lamps, check out the Lamps Class.