This lightbulb has been glowing since 1901

[CT_Shooter]

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

https://wapo.st/4hEUm17

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]

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

https://wapo.st/4hEUm17

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

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

[CT_Shooter]

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

[Mags]

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

Nope.
"Create an account to redeem your FREE article"

This is the Wikipedia version of the Centennial Light Bulb.
The trick to long life has been to dial back the voltage so that the bulb burns at 4W instead of 60W and never turning it off. On/off cycles wear out the filament.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centennial_Light

[CT_Shooter]

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

(181.95 KiB) Downloaded 85 times

[dave77]

Interesting but I don't have any incandescent bulbs around anymore, maybe still a few in my vehicles. I can only remember changing one or two led bulbs since I started using them. I guess I do still have a incandescent heat lamp for the chickens, they still burn out regularly and they are also quite expensive.

[Mags]

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

Thank you!