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Still burning bright (Texas bulb first illuminated in 1908)
CNN ^
| 9/20/04
| (Reuters)
Posted on 09/24/2004 9:22:00 PM PDT by Nail
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No picture available on the light bulb above. This is the Livermore bulb, which is about as old.
(Wanted to post this in chat, but don't know how to).
1
posted on
09/24/2004 9:22:01 PM PDT
by
Nail
To: Nail
Livermore is older than the Texas bulb by like 6 years.
To: Nail
They sure do not make things anymore like the Texas lightbulb Thankfully, that thing is nearly worthless or anything serious!
3
posted on
09/24/2004 9:24:41 PM PDT
by
_Jim
(s <--- Ann C. and Rush L. speak on gutless Liberals (RealAudio files))
To: Nail
"They sure do not make things anymore like the Texas lightbulb that sold for a few cents and has burned for 96 straight years."
Manufacturers certainly might learn a few things from the past.
I have a General Electric upright freezer purchased in 1952. Still running strong. But not continuously. I confess. Every once in awhile I unplug the thing for an afternoon defrosting.
4
posted on
09/24/2004 9:30:44 PM PDT
by
Racehorse
To: Racehorse
If you upgraded to a modern freezer you'd probably save enough money on electricity to pay for the new freezer in a year.
5
posted on
09/24/2004 9:33:25 PM PDT
by
flashbunny
(How do you tell which polls are right? Simple. Just look at how the Kerry campaign is acting.)
To: flashbunny
Would that savings include the cost of an extended maintenance agreements, assuming of course, the new freezer outlasts the warranty?
6
posted on
09/24/2004 9:40:07 PM PDT
by
Racehorse
To: Racehorse
put it this way: If you can afford to buy a new freezer every year or so due to $$$ savings, who cares about extended maintenance agreements? Most likely if it's going to fail, it's going to fail within the warranty period. And after the warranty period ends, you'll probably have recouped your savings. Every month after that is just gravy.
Getting rid of the old 50's fridge / freezer for a modern one several years ago has already paid for itself in reduced energy bills. Plus not having to defrost it every month or so saves me even more in time and trouble. Oh, and not having to listen it constantly running is another big plus.
7
posted on
09/24/2004 9:48:15 PM PDT
by
flashbunny
(How do you tell which polls are right? Simple. Just look at how the Kerry campaign is acting.)
To: pcgTheDestroyer
Livermore is older than the Texas bulb by like 6 years.I think that's right. Livermore was 1901, while this bulb was 1908. Still, this bulb has been burning for (2004-1908)=96*365*24 hours=840,000 hours. The average life of an incandescent light bulb is what, 1000 - 2000 hours?
8
posted on
09/24/2004 9:52:34 PM PDT
by
Nail
To: Nail
Get outta here ... really?!
To: Nail
The Livermore bulb is in a firehouse. But that can't be right, can it? Bush closed all our firehouses and opened then in Iraq. ;>)
To: Nail
Yup, and even the fancy schmancy ones are like 8000 hours. One thing about the Livermore bulb which might not apply to this one: Livermore is *FOUR* watts. (I think I heard this one was sixty, but I might be confused.)
To: Mr. Buzzcut
Hey, Mr.B.
I've no idea what you mean. I was just chatting about light bulbs.
But I like your home page, and I share your love for a good cigar.
12
posted on
09/24/2004 10:11:51 PM PDT
by
Nail
To: Nail; blam
A 1970s edition of the Guinness Book listed a light bulb in a fire house (maybe in California?) as the longest burning. It had only been switched off once -- to move to the new facility -- was then screwed back in and turned back on. Turning 'em on and off does put more strain on bulbs, but that can't be the only reason for the longevity... :') George W. Bush will be reelected by a margin of at least ten per cent
13
posted on
09/24/2004 10:12:23 PM PDT
by
SunkenCiv
("All I have seen teaches me trust the Creator for all I have not seen." -- Emerson)
To: flashbunny
I don't mind defrosting the thing every six months or so. The quiet humming is soothing and almost musical. I like owning something so well designed and so well put together it still does its intended job after almost fifty-two years.
I might even go out and give it a good clean-up polish tomorrow.
Whatever extra expense there might be, I think I'll pay it for awhile longer.
But percentage-wise, I am curious, how much did you save?
To: Nail
I've no idea what you mean. I was just chatting about light bulbs. Yeah, i was just amazed ...!
Enjoying an Arturo Fuente Double Chateau right now (till Ms. B smells it!) ... ahhhh! ;)
To: Racehorse; flashbunny
Anybody remember the "Andy Griffith" episode with the old freezer? If not ... carry on! :)
To: SunkenCiv
17
posted on
09/24/2004 10:32:19 PM PDT
by
Nail
To: SunkenCiv; Nail; pcgTheDestroyer; _Jim; Racehorse; flashbunny; Mr. Buzzcut; ProtectOurFreedom
It had only been switched off once -- to move to the new facility -- was then screwed back in and turned back on. Turning 'em on and off does put more strain on bulbs, but that can't be the only reason for the longevity... :') Is the bulb on AC or DC current? AC will cause the filiment to eventually fail due to metal fatigue similar to turning a light on and off.
18
posted on
09/24/2004 10:43:49 PM PDT
by
Paleo Conservative
(Hey! Hey! Ho! Ho! Dan Rather's got to go!)
To: Nail
19
posted on
09/24/2004 11:08:37 PM PDT
by
SunkenCiv
("All I have seen teaches me trust the Creator for all I have not seen." -- Emerson)
To: Paleo Conservative
Some few years ago, in (I think it was) Builder's Square, I saw a display of those AC to DC adapters for light sockets. DC does extend the life of a bulb. However, the heavier the filament (and of course, depends what it's made of), the longer it lasts. Hence, I used to buy 130 volt, or oven / ceiling fan bulbs, despite the higher cost. Now I get those twisty fluorescents. :')
20
posted on
09/24/2004 11:10:43 PM PDT
by
SunkenCiv
("All I have seen teaches me trust the Creator for all I have not seen." -- Emerson)
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