87 years after it introduced the low-pressure sodium lamp to the world, Signify (formerly Philips Lighting) will end the production of this technology. As a result, the Hamilton (Scotland) plant will close its doors in November this year: https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/end-era-remaining-70-jobs-17960244

Farewell SOX lamp.

Sad but inevitable day. 

They should have compensated the gradually decreasing demand for SOX lamps by something else. For example UK assembled, Signify branded quality LED lanterns would probably find their customers (they already had relationships with them). Now they end empty handed.

It is sad because monochromatic SOX lighting created a specific light atmosphere and it also was an efficient light source. 590nm amber LEDs can be used to create the atmosphere like for filming older night city scenes (unless they use a digital filter to transform white light to the monochromatic amber).

87 years is a good run for something that was not easy to manufacture in the first place!

stock up while you can !

stock up while you can !

I don't have the money. At this rate I'll never own one. I thought I had Atleast a couple more years 

There's always eBay ! occasionally LPS stuff shows up quite cheap .

They should have compensated the gradually decreasing demand for SOX lamps by something else.

Problem is, you can not use nearly anything from a SOX production machinery on anything else.
Starting LEDs would mean to build completely different production line from scratch, so not solving the high cost of keeping the SOX line alive. The problem was, the existing line was operating at too low production volume, but there was no product able to load it in any cost effective way.

So they do what really makes the best sense: Stop production, scrap the machinery (it would be past its lofe anyway), overhaul the building (or even tearing it down and build a new one) and start something completely new there, with completely new machinery.
It could be under a different owner, but who says it can not be even the UK made LEDs...

It is incredible that it survived as long as it did, but still very sad to see this light source and its unique manufacturing process disappear.  Most sad though, is when I think back to visits to Hamilton years ago when they used to have a dozen separate factory buildings mass producing GLS, fluorescent, all kinds of discharge lamps, ballasts, luminaires, shavers, radios, and a vast array of other electronic components and appliances - and really taking the lead to be at the forefront of each.  Many of these products have not become obsolete like GLS and SOX, but Philips simply lost its business in those areas.  Its scary how the most huge companies which used to seem invincible can actually be so fragile and disappear so quickly.

Well said James. A reminder, however, that just like with the demise of the once mighty Sears, if there's no interest by the current owners/management to transform & encourage their business model, whatever form that model might take, everyone at large becomes disinterested and everything becomes obsolete.

Unfortunately, this was inevitable. 

Forever in my heart will be my favorite lamp burning at 589nm, lighting the way to a bright future while remembering the hard work of those who came before us to get us here!

But the feeding frenzy of the PC greenie crowd perpetrated a lot of it as well.

I don't see how? the Low pressure sodium lamp is very efficient??

When it comes to SOX, I bet Philips couldn't wait to pull the plug. It's very efficient, reliable and often can last a very long time which of course a company that supports artificial obsolescence like Philips doesn't like.

SOX's low wattage and high lumens competes with Philips LED products which they need to intentionally design to fail after a certain time to ensure steady sales flow for replacements. With SOXs long lifespan people wouldn't bother upgrading. So of course the big 3 needed to eliminate them some how. Guess they started off by jacking the prices and making artificial shortages of stock to try and put people off, then they changed the design to shorten lifespan and performance for example Philips putting getter on the tube itself. GE and Sylvania closed up shop and Philips couldn't wait to kill it off for good. SOX was just to good and was on level or better with LED.

I don't see how? the Low pressure sodium lamp is very efficient??

If these people actually cared about the environment they would probably consider that. Unfortunately the "green movement" is used for political leverage more than anything these days. If we actually were trying to be as eco-friendly as possible we would be researching stuff like carbon capture systems and ways to make combustion engines burn cleaner rather than banning light bulbs.