Good news - this new set of LEDs on the breadboard feature a greater viewing angle and are nearly as bright as the original concept's LEDs. Better yet, I was able to find this type of LED in a cool blue and 'close-to-pure-white' style.
Here's a pic of the works in progress:
The other style of LEDs are included in the pic (not lit) for comparison. Also, EE's at my job suggested I utilize the parallel LED/resistor set as they will be less sensitive to what they believe is a current overdraw in the series circuit. That would explain a lot, because the lamps on the first page - which are also parallel, have never died, whereas testing has shown the series circuits (which have resistors to handle up to 16V) to die prematurely.
More to come later
