# Flourescent light fixtures **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 7, 1999, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flourescent-light-fixtures/3069 "1999-09-07T12:37:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 1999, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flourescent-light-fixtures/3069/1 "1999-09-07T12:37:00Z")
While changing out several flourescent lights today in my office, I wondered who the complete moron was who invented this type of bulb. Trying to line the two pins on either side AND twist them into place is one the most aggravating things you could ever do. Some of the larger bulbs have a simple spring-loaded socket that is much easier to install. Now I’m off to dig up Alexander Graham Bell, bring him back to life, make him answer my phones all day and then kill him. ---
**Author:** ![falcon2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/dbc845/32.png) [@falcon2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/falcon2)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 1999, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flourescent-light-fixtures/3069/2 "1999-09-07T20:50:00Z")
Yeah, the weird thing is that the blub works fine even if only 1 posts one each end is attached. ---
**Author:** ![ChiefScott](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58f4c7/32.png) [@ChiefScott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChiefScott)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 1999, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flourescent-light-fixtures/3069/3 "1999-09-07T21:30:00Z")
Yeah… it works as well as your spellchecker, right? ---
**Author:** ![ChiefScott](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58f4c7/32.png) [@ChiefScott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChiefScott)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 1999, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flourescent-light-fixtures/3069/4 "1999-09-07T21:32:00Z")
“…the blub works fine even if only 1 posts one each end is attached.” Caution: Reading this aloud is very, very painful!! ---
**Author:** ![ChiefScott](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58f4c7/32.png) [@ChiefScott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChiefScott)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 1999, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flourescent-light-fixtures/3069/5 "1999-09-07T21:33:00Z")
And _that’s_ “the weird thing”!! ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 1999, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flourescent-light-fixtures/3069/6 "1999-09-08T00:13:00Z")
## “Some of the larger bulbs have a simple spring-loaded socket that is much easier to install.” —Trumpy303 There are spring loaded sockets available for the bi-pin type blubs too, they’re just a lot more expensive than the type you describe. They are a lot easier to use, and safer too. Blame it on the architects. Peace, mangeorge * * * Work like you don’t need the money… Love like you’ve never been hurt… Dance like nobody’s watching! …(Paraphrased) ---
**Author:** ![moriah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b2d939/32.png) [@moriah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moriah)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 1999, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flourescent-light-fixtures/3069/7 "1999-09-08T00:18:00Z")
ChiefScott posted: > [@](#): > > Yeah… it works as well as your spellchecker, right? Why would anyone want to check their spells? Peace. * * * Live by the correction… ---
**Author:** ![Nickrz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bbce88/32.png) [@Nickrz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nickrz)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 1999, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flourescent-light-fixtures/3069/8 "1999-09-08T00:25:00Z")
Oh, filli me bonni belli… ---
**Author:** ![NanoByte](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecc23a/32.png) [@NanoByte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NanoByte)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 1999, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flourescent-light-fixtures/3069/9 "1999-09-08T03:50:00Z")
Well, the starter or push-button ballast types need a heated filament at one end, which requires _both_ terminals at the filament end to make contact. Ray (Tuby or not tuby.)