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Reis Thebault in the Washington Post wrote:This is the Centennial Bulb, so named in 2001 when it marked its 100th consecutive year of illumination. Fourteen years later, it sailed past 1 million hours of service. Since then, it’s added 80,000 more. Next year would be its 125th birthday.

The bulb has been alight longer than any human has been alive. It has outlasted at least 20 U.S. presidents. The union was just 45 states large when it was first plugged in. If the matter had been on the ballot, most women would not have been legally allowed to vote on it. It was burning before the Wright Brothers’ maiden voyage and before the very first pitch of the very first World Series. Mount Rushmore was faceless, penicillin was nameless.

CT_Shooter wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 23, 2025 10:29 am

I thought this article was interesting. You might, too.

https://wapo.st/4hEUm17

Reis Thebault in the Washington Post wrote:This is the Centennial Bulb, so named in 2001 when it marked its 100th consecutive year of illumination. Fourteen years later, it sailed past 1 million hours of service. Since then, it’s added 80,000 more. Next year would be its 125th birthday.

The bulb has been alight longer than any human has been alive. It has outlasted at least 20 U.S. presidents. The union was just 45 states large when it was first plugged in. If the matter had been on the ballot, most women would not have been legally allowed to vote on it. It was burning before the Wright Brothers’ maiden voyage and before the very first pitch of the very first World Series. Mount Rushmore was faceless, penicillin was nameless.

All lightbulbs would last for many decades if, in 1925, major bulb manufacturers hadn't agreed to make light bulbs that burned out before they reached 1,000 hours. Members of the group (the Phoebus cartel) batch tested their product, and if the bulbs lasted too long, they would be fined. That agreement started a common business strategy called "Planned Obsolescence". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoebus_cartel

Mags wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 23, 2025 1:30 pm

Thanks for quoting the WP. They have a paywall. Without a subscription the article can't be accessed.

CT_Shooter wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 23, 2025 1:49 pm

Mags wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 23, 2025 1:30 pm

Thanks for quoting the WP. They have a paywall. Without a subscription the article can't be accessed.

The link should have been accessible. I'm permitted 10 articles a month to share. This one might work.

https://wapo.st/4hEUm17

CT_Shooter wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 23, 2025 2:19 pm

Bummer. The shared links have worked in the past. I printed it to a PDF file, if you're interested in reading the whole thing.


Centennial Bulb glows strong at age 124, a testament to American ingenuity - The Washington Post.pdf