Fluorescent lamp and method of manufacturing fluorescent lamp

A method of manufacturing a fluorescent lamp comprising the steps of:

• using an electrode assembly in which more than two lead wires are connected to electrodes, two glass beads being fixed to said more than two lead wires extended from said electrodes side by side in the direction extending along said lead wires;
• welding mercury amalgam to at least one of said lead wires between said two glass beads;
• exhausting the inside of said glass tube after said lead wires of said electrode assembly were inserted into said glass tube;
• sealing the inside of said glass tube by welding a glass bead, near the end portion of said glass tube, of said two glass beads to said glass tube;
• evaporating mercury by heating said mercury amalgam;
• and
• sealing the inside of said glass tube by welding a glass bead, near the inside of said glass tube, of said two glass beads to said glass tube.