1859 G. A. Rowell Contents p.viii Globe lightning, 394.
1900 21 282 It is what is technically called ‘ball-lightning’ or ‘globe-lightning’, and when seen near at hand appears like a falling ball of fire.
1997 (Nexis) 24 June 1 a Ball lightning, also known as globe lightning, is a relatively rare form of lighting consisting of a reddish luminous ball about one foot in diameter.