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inventory, so gradually over time most homes became well set up electrically. It was quite a change to look out and see neighbors’ yard lights and windows that had been dark and empty now shining brightly in the night. No longer would we have to ration radio listening, and no longer would we toast our bread on a wire rack on the top of the wood stove.

The first Christmas season was the most exciting one of all. Every home had a string or two of new Christmas lights. They were mainly the type known as series bulbs, and if one burned out, or became loose, the entire string went out. Novice decorators showed little imagination in lighting design. The common arrangement was to have the lights