Disclosed herein is a durable lighting apparatus having a plurality of light sockets arranged within a translucent housing such that when the light sockets are fitted with lamps and energized the lamps emit a substantially isotropic radiation pattern through the translucent housing. The light sockets are preferably attached to a flexible substrate which allows the device to absorb shock without damaging the sockets. In a preferred embodiment, the socket assembly is permitted to slide vertically along a central column where shock-absorbing devices are positioned above and below the socket assembly.