Dichroic Reflector Halogen MR16 - 6440 FPF
Despite the fact that Philips was first to develop the low voltage halogen spotlight, with its AR56 aluminium reflector concept in the late 1970s, the company was one of the last to market with the more popular MR16 dichroic versions. The first MR16 had in fact been developed much earlier in 1965, but only for film projectors. It was not until after the 1975 introduction of facetted reflectors and the extension of the range to long-life versions with lower wattages, that designers began to apply them in general spotlighting.

For many years Philips remained adamant that the cool-beam MR16 concept was grossly over-engineered for simple spotlighting tasks, and that its aluminium reflectors were eminently superior. From the pure technical standpoint that might well have been correct, but lighting designers were captured by the sparkling facetted reflectors and dichroic colours of MR16 lamps vs the dull-looking Philips offerings.

Eventually Philips recognised that it had backed the wrong horse, and in 1984 announced a small MR16 range as being under development - at first with bayonet caps just like its AR56 versions. Production models were not listed until 1986, and this version is one of the rare few that were made. It is obviously based on equivalent projector lamp designs, and the cost, lifetime and performance were all mediocre compared to competitors of the time. Philips was evidently still reluctant to fully commit to the MR16 concept, and having been thoroughly left behind switched to sourcing from Sylvania during the later 1980s. It was not until 1990 that Philips finally recognised that the dichroic trend was unstoppable, and made up for a decade of absence with the introduction of its outstanding 'Masterline' MR16 range.
Manufacturer: Philips Lighting
Lamp Power: 50 Watts  
Lamp Voltage: 12 Volts  
Lamp Current: 4.17 Amperes  
Cap Type: GX5.3 Glass 2-pin
Bulb Type: MR-51 MR-16 in eighths/inch
Bulb Finish: Borosilicate Glass Dichroic reflector
Filament Type: C-8 Axial Single Coil
Atmosphere: Bromine, Krypton
Luminous Flux: N/A  
Luminous Efficacy: N/A  
Luminous Intensity: 14,000 cd  
Beam Distribution: 8° to 50% peak
Colour Temperature & CRI: CCT: 3000K CRI: Ra 100
Chromaticity Co-ordinates: CCx: 0.452 CCy: 0.409
Lifetime: 2000 hours to 50% survival
Burning Position: Universal  
Overall Length: 45 mm 1 3/4"
Light Centre Length: N/A  
Factory: Aachen Germany
Date of Manufacture: April 1989 Date Code: D9
Original Value: GB £7.70 (1988)  
References: 1) Philips Catalogue 1984 International - note concerning development start of MR16 lamps, but not yet released for sale
2) Philips Catalogue 1985 UK - still no listing of MR16 types
3) Philips Catalogue 1986 UK - first known listing of Philips MR16 lamps
4) Philips Catalogue 1988 UK
5) Philips Catalogue 1988 International
6) Philips Price List 1988 UK