Re: does the shape of a light bulb have an effect on how much light it produces

Jessica,

The biggest factor in light bulb brightness is the medium used to generate 
the glowing.  This can be a thin piece of wire (an incandescnent bulb with 
a tungsten filament) or an electric arc through a plasma (flourescent 
bulb, mercury vapor lamp).

Given a specific light bulb, a lenses are used to concentrate or spread 
the light and mirrored surfaces inside the bulb help reflect the light in 
the desired direction.  The lens is what makes a Mag-Lite flashlight so 
bright.  Reflective coatings inside spot-lights help make them appear 
brighter.

Sometimes, the lens can be built into the bulb, but this makes the bulb 
more expensive.

You may be able to track down some serious light bulb information from 
Sylvania.  The following URL points to a description of a lighting 
research center -- 
    http://www.sylvania.com/aboutus/labs.htm

You can also try the main URL -- http://www.sylvania.com.  There may be a 
contact number where you can get more information.

I hope this gives you a start.  

Christopher M. Seaman
Alcoa Technical Center