Abstract: A generally rectangular, self-supporting, unitary high temperature electrical resistance heater adapted for generally horizontal suspension within a high temperature furnace in which the heating element is composed of a flat resistor ribbon folded to form a series of continuous and substantially parallel beam-like heater segments disposed in grate-like fashion. The ribbon heater segments are retained in their parallel configuration by a plurality of refractory insulators disposed between and supported solely by the beam-like segments. The resulting furnace heater offers advantages of light weight, high radiation efficiency and minimum thermal inertia.