The lucky owners of world’s oldest working light bulb celebrated its 100th birthday in June 2001. Nearly 12 years later, it’s still burning, though not as brightly as it once did.
On June 18, 1901, Dennis Bernal, owner of the Livermore Power and Light Company of Livermore, California, donated the 60-watt light bulb to the local fire department. It was first installed at a hose cart house, but was soon moved to the main firehouse. In 1903, it was again moved, this time to the new Station 1. It was turned off for about a week when the firehouse was renovated in 1937, when it was turned back on without incident.
In 1976, it was moved to Fire Station 6, escorted by police and fire trucks. This time it got its own power supply, though it was still running at 110 watts. It is now serving as a night light, and its power has now been cut to only four watts.
This particular bulb was developed by Adolphe A. Chaillet and manufactured by the Shelby Electric Company. The bulb itself was handblown and equipped with a carbon filament. No one seems to know why it has lasted so long.
The Centennial Bulb is recognized as the oldest known working light bulb by both the Guinness Book of World Records and by Ripley’s Believe-It-or–Not.
The Livermore bulb, also called the Centennial Bulb and the Shelby Bulb, even has its own website.
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