Longest lit light bulb

[Robert W]

I went to Livermore many years ago to see this longest living light bulb. At 87 now, I just had to see it myself. It is still burning right now. It is over 100 years old. If you ever want to see it, go to Livermore, CA.

On the bright side, famous light bulb still shining after over 100 years in fire station

This light bulb in Livermore, California (USA) has bore witness to years of history and technological innovation, while shining brightly in a fire station since 1901.

www.guinnessworldrecords.com

 

[Dont Taz Me Bro]

And they did away with these because they "weren't energy efficient."

 

[Robert W]

And they did away with these because they "weren't energy efficient."

Instead of using Tungsten, it has a carbon filament.

 

[Care4all]

And they did away with these because they "weren't energy efficient."

No. They did away with them because they were energy efficient and manufacturers had no incentive to build factories to make them, if they never needed replacement. They lobbied Congress I believe, to regulate lightbulb sustainability, to 1000 hours a bulb....or something like that.....

Edit: maybe this was a tale?

 

[luiza]

What about the longest Unlit Light Bulb ?

Several contenders here .

And is there a good reason why so many nest here ?

 

[Robert W]

No. They did away with them because they were energy efficient and manufacturers had no incentive to build factories to make them, if they never needed replacement. They lobbied Congress I believe, to regulate lightbulb sustainability, to 1000 hours a bulb....or something like that.....

Made by the Shelby Electric Company in Shelby, Ohio at the end of the 1890s, the glowing pear was donated to the Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department in 1901. The design was invented by French scientist Adolphe Chaillet, and it was originally a hand-blown carbon-filament 60-watt bulb, like many of our common light bulbs today. In one of the original advertisements for the bulb, it was touted as the “Best lamp on Earth,” which now may be deemed correct.

However, since it’s been burning for over a century, it now emits a 4-watt light, which is akin to that of a night-light.

 

[Care4all]

No. They did away with them because they were energy efficient and manufacturers had no incentive to build factories to make them, if they never needed replacement. They lobbied Congress I believe, to regulate lightbulb sustainability, to 1000 hours a bulb....or something like that.....

Edit: maybe this was a tale?

Dont Taz Me Bro

I was wrong....it wasn't congress but a Cartel that did it!

A/I

Yes, the Phoebus cartel—a group of major manufacturers like Osram, GE, and Philips—colluded in 1924 to standardize light bulb lifespans at 1,000 hours. This is one of the first major examples of planned obsolescence, though it was enforced through private fines within the cartel rather than through lobbying for federal laws.

 

[Care4all]

Interesting....

Planned obsolescence is a business strategy where products are designed to break or become outdated quickly. This forces you to buy the latest version sooner than you actually need to.

How it Works​

• Fragile Parts: Using cheap materials that wear out just after the warranty expires.
• Software Limits: Newer apps or updates that won't run on older hardware.
• Non-Repairability: Gluing batteries or using "pentalobe" screws to prevent DIY fixes.
• Perceived Obsolescence: Changing the look of a product so the old one feels "ugly" or "out of style."

 

[evenflow1969]

And they did away with these because they "weren't energy efficient."

They did away with these things because they don't stop working. Think about what a never ending light bulb does to sales. Same reason the products we buy today are shit. Your products break you need a new one

 

[Robert W]

Dont Taz Me Bro

I was wrong....it wasn't congress but a Cartel that did it!

A/I

Yes, the Phoebus cartel—a group of major manufacturers like Osram, GE, and Philips—colluded in 1924 to standardize light bulb lifespans at 1,000 hours. This is one of the first major examples of planned obsolescence, though it was enforced through private fines within the cartel rather than through lobbying for federal laws.

 

[Robert W]

Interesting....

Planned obsolescence is a business strategy where products are designed to break or become outdated quickly. This forces you to buy the latest version sooner than you actually need to.

How it Works​

• Fragile Parts: Using cheap materials that wear out just after the warranty expires.
• Software Limits: Newer apps or updates that won't run on older hardware.
• Non-Repairability: Gluing batteries or using "pentalobe" screws to prevent DIY fixes.
• Perceived Obsolescence: Changing the look of a product so the old one feels "ugly" or "out of style."

One thing you don't discuss.
If your products lasted 10 times longer, prices would be 20 times higher. Witness the Aston Martin Vantage for whopping price of $220,000. Built to outlast the owner.