Abstract: A compact fluorescent lamp is provided having a lamp envelope which is shaped in the form of a double helix. The lamp envelope is formed so as to exhibit a side contour which is essentially hemispherical in shape thereby providing a light distribution which approximates that of a conventional A-line incandescent lamp. The lamp envelope further provides a top portion which tapers inwardly and which has a crossover portion at the top that provides a light distribution from this top region that is essentially uniform across such top portion. The open coiling configuration of the lamp envelope is further effective for allowing light generated from the interior of the coiled lamp envelope, to pass through the open coil arrangement with a minimum amount of loss as can otherwise occur for a straight lamp envelope arrangement.