The bulb is the glass portion of a
lamp. Despite
popular belief, it is not the entire lamp. This is often a sensitive point with many
theatre electricians. In most
lamps used in theatre, particularly
quartz lamps, it is very important not to touch the bulb with your bare fingers. The oil from your fingers causes the lamp to heat unevenly, which can cause premature failure of the lamp, usually in the form of a loud bang. The typical result is either an explosion of the wall of the lamp, or simply sever deformation. A blemish in the shape of a linger is goiod way to get in trouble with your
master electrician.