bulbs instead. In recent years, bubble lights have become more elaborate in appearance. Glitter is sometimes added to the vials for extra sparkle, most commonly on specialty types such as those used in decorative nightlights. Bases are now often made to look like figures such as Santa Clauses or snowmen, or decorative objects and symbols, rather than the plain ribbed plastic. Like many other Christmas decorations, they have been converted for Halloween use, usually with orange-colored liquid and a base that looks like a jack-o'-lantern, or the head of a black cat or witch, among other Halloween symbols. Less-toxic modern imitations of bubble lights are made from acrylic or other clear plastic rods, with permanent bubbles deliberately manufactured into them, lit with fixed-color or color-changing LEDs. Other bubbling lights are much larger and sit on a table or floor, occasionally with fake fish which "swim" up and down as they change buoyancy. These tubes are usually filled with distilled water, and have one or more airstones at the bottom, and normally a light, along with an air pump. History Bubble lights for Christmas decoration were first patented in the United States by Carl W. Otis in 1944 and introduced there in 1946 by NOMA, one of the largest American manufacturers of Christmas lights. While NOMA was the largest company to make these lights, other manufacturers included Raylite (Paramount/Sterling), Royal Electric Company, and Good Lite/Peerless. Bubble lights were very popular as Christmas lights from the 1940s through the 1970s, before miniature "fairy" lights became popular. See also Drinking bird – simple toy that uses a similar closed solvent system Hand boiler – novelty that uses hand heat to displace a solvent Lava lamp – contemporary changing decorative light Percolator – similar bubble lift mechanism to brew coffee Plasma globe – another changing decorative light source which has been miniaturized Patents : July 4, 1944 : February 18, 1936 : February 18, 1936 : June 20, 1939 : September 26, 1939 Christmas decorations Types of lamp