Centennial Light: Difference between revisions

The '''Centennial Light''' is an incandescent [[Incandescentincandescent light bulb|light bulb]], recognized as the oldest known continuously operating light buldbulb. It was first illuminated in 1901, and has only been turned off a few brief times since. It is located at 4550 East Avenue, [[Livermore, California]], and is open to public viewing.<ref name="npr">{{cite news | title=Century Light Bulb | publisher=[[National Public Radio]] | date=2001-06-10 | url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1124201 | access-date=2007-01-15}}</ref> Due to its longevity, the bulb has been noted by ''[[Guinness World Records|The Guinness Book of World Records]]'',<ref>{{citation | publisher = Guinness World Records | url = httphttps://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/4000/longest-burning-light-bulb | title = Longest burning light bulb}}.</ref> ''[[Ripley's Believe It or Not!]]'', and [[General Electric]].<ref name= VIA>{{citation | url = http://www.viamagazine.com/top_stories/articles/lightbulb02.asp | title = The Little Bulb That Could... and Does | format = article | journal = VIA | access-date = January 27, 2007 | archive-date = January 3, 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100103212740/http://www.viamagazine.com/top_stories/articles/lightbulb02.asp | url-status = dead }}.</ref> The light has been the subject of many TV shows and news reports along with at least 4four books, and has its own website.

The handmade lightbulb was originally manufactured by the Shelby Electric Company of [[Shelby, Ohio]], towards the end of the 1890s and donated to the [[Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department]] in 1901. It has been relocated several times since and remains in the care of the fire department to this day. The bulb's longevity has been attributed to the high quality of its manufacture,<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |title=Livermore's mysterious lightbulb burns 110 years |url=https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/livermore-s-mysterious-lightbulb-burns-110-years-2460710.php}}</ref> it being seldom turned off,<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> and its low wattage.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> Originally a 60-watt bulb, the light has for many years emitted dim light equivalent to a 4 -watt bulb, about the strength of a nightlight.<ref name=":0" />

[[File:Centennial-Light-Bulb-pendant-light-in-Livermore-CA-2016.jpg|thumb|right|130px|The pendant light at Fire Station #6 in which the bulb is installed.|alt=A photo of the pendant light at Fire Station #6 in which the bulb is installed.]]The Centennial Light was originally a 3060-[[watt]] bulb, but has since dimmed significantly and is now as bright as a 4-watt bulb.<ref name="centennialfacts" /><ref name="tests">{{citation | url = http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_17287091 | title = Tests shine light on the secret of the Livermore light bulb|newspaper=[[Contra Costa Times]]|last=Benca|first=Jeanine|date=February 6, 2011}}</ref> (or 60-watt<ref name="centennialfacts" />) bulb, but is now very dim, emitting about the same light as a 4-watt [[nightlight]].<ref name="tests" /><ref name="USAToday">{{citation |date = 2003-04-02 | url = https://www.usatoday.com/tech/webguide/hotsites/2003/2003-04-02-hotsites.htm | title = Centennial bulb | newspaper = [[USA Today]] | access-date = January 27, 2007}}</ref> The hand-blown, carbon-filament common light bulb was invented by [[Adolphe Alexandre Chaillet|Adolphe Chaillet]], a French engineer who filed a patent for this socket technology.<ref>{{citation|last1=Chaillet |first1=Adolphe Alexandre |title=Patent US625321A.A. CHAILLET. Socket for incandescent lamps |url=https://patents.google.com/patent/US625321A/en|date=January 12, 2022|publisher=[[Google Patent]]|access-date=January 3, 2021}}</ref> It was manufactured in [[Shelby, Ohio]], by the Shelby Electric Company in the late 1890s;<ref name="centennialfacts">{{cite web |url= http://www.centennialbulb.org/facts.htm | access-date = 2007-01-20 | location = Livermore | publisher = Centennial Light | title = Facts}}</ref> many just like it still exist and can be found functioning.<ref>{{citation | publisher = Centennial Bulb | url = http://www.centennialbulb.org/shelby-steve.htm | title = Steve's Shelby Collection | access-date = January 20, 2007}}.</ref> According to Zylpha Bernal Beck, the bulb was donated to the Fire Department by her father, Dennis Bernal, in 1901.<ref name="centennialfacts" /> Bernal owned the Livermore Power and Water Company and donated the bulb to the fire station when he sold the company. That story has been supported by firefighter volunteers of that era.<ref name="Trivalley Herald">{{cite web | url = http://www.centennialbulb.org/newsppr3.htm | title = Light Bulb May Be World's Oldest | website = Centennial Bulb | access-date = October 14, 2009}}</ref>

Several reasons have been cited for the bulb's extensive lifespan. Its continuous operation has largely eliminated the stresses associated with turning a light bulb on and off, the act of which causes the temperature of the bulb to increase and decrease. The bulb was made by hand, using a carbon filament (of greater thickness and strength than the [[tungsten]] filaments used in most modern lightbulbs) along with brass and glass components of high quality. The low wattage (originally 60 watts, now approximately 4four) and high Nitrogennitrogen atmosphere inside the bulb have also contributed to its longevity.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=Thomas |date=March 19, 2023 |title=Why is the Centennial Bulb Still Burning? The Secrets of Livermore's 120-Year-Old Lightbulb |url=https://bayareatelegraph.com/2023/03/19/why-is-the-centennial-bulb-still-burning-the-secrets-of-livermores-120-year-old-lightbulb/ |access-date=April 16, 2024 |work=Bay Area Telegraph}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite report |url=https://www.centennialbulb.org/docs/centennial%20bulb%20report.pdf |title=The Mystery of the Centennial Bulb: an Incandescent Light Bulb |last=Kykta |first=Martin |date=2021 |access-date=April 16, 2024}}</ref>

The bulb was officially listed in the ''Guinness Book of World Records'' as "the most durable light" in 1972, replacing anotherthe bulb[[Palace Theater Light]] in [[Fort Worth, Texas]]. The bulb was listed in the book for the next 16 editions. It was not listed during 1988–2006, without a reason being given, before returning in 2007.<ref>{{citation | url = http://www.centennialbulb.org/guiness.htm | title = Guinness page | publisher = Centennial Bulb}}.</ref> At least four books have been written about the bulb.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Livermore's Centennial Light Books |url=https://centennialbulb.org/book.htm |access-date=2024-04-16 |website=centennialbulb.org}}</ref>

According to the fire chief, every few months a news outlet will publish a story on the bulb, generating visitors and general interest, then it will drop back into obscurity for a while. Dozens of magazines and newspapers have featured articles on the bulb.<ref name="centennialarticles" /> The bulb has been visited and featured by many major [[news channel]]s<ref name="centennialarticles">{{cite web |url=http://www.centennialbulb.org/articles.htm | title= Articles | location =Livermore | publisher = Centennial Light}}</ref> in the United States, including [[NBC]], [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]], [[Fox News Channel|Fox]], [[CBS]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://tvnews.vanderbilt.edu/program.pl?ID=222205 | work = Vanderbilt Television News Archive |title=Eternal Light Bulb| publisher = [[CBS Evening News]] | date= March 23, 1972}}</ref> [[The WB Television Network|WB]], [[CNN]] and [[National Public Radio|NPR]].<ref name="npr" /> The bulb has received letters acknowledging and celebrating its longevity from the city of [[Shelby, Ohio]],<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.centennialbulb.org/awards/shelby.jpg|access-date=2007-01-15 |format= JPEG | title= Proclamation: Livermore/Pleasanton California Centennial Light | date=June 6, 2001 |publisher=City of Shelby}}</ref> the Alameda County Board of Supervisors,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.centennialbulb.org/awards/almdbrd.jpg|access-date= 2007-01-15 | format= JPEG | title= Resolution: Congratulations Livermore's Centennial Light, 1901–2001 | publisher = Board of Supervisors, County of Alameda, State of California | date=June 8, 2001}}</ref> the [[California State Assembly]],<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.centennialbulb.org/awards/assy.jpg |access-date=2007-01-15 |format= JPEG | title= Certificate of Recognition |publisher=California State Assembly}}</ref> the [[California State Senate]],<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.centennialbulb.org/awards/senate.jpg |access-date=2007-01-15 |format= JPEG |title= Certificate of Recognition | publisher = State of California Senate |date= June 8, 2001}}</ref> Congresswoman [[Ellen Tauscher]],<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.centennialbulb.org/awards/tauschr.jpg | access-date= 2007-01-15| format= JPEG | title= Letter of congratulations |author=Ellen O. Tauscher |date=June 8, 2001}}</ref> Senator [[Barbara Boxer]],<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.centennialbulb.org/awards/boxer.jpg|access-date=2007-01-15|format= JPEG |title=Letter of congratulations | author =Barbara Boxer |date=June 8, 2001}}</ref> and President [[George W. Bush]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.centennialbulb.org/awards/gwbush.jpg|access-date=2007-01-15|format= JPEG |title= Letter from the President | author = George W. Bush |date=June 1, 2001}}</ref> The bulb was featured on an [[MythBusters (2006 season)#Lights On/Off|episode]] of ''[[MythBusters]]'' on December 13, 2006,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.centennialbulb.org/mythbstr.htm |title=''Mythbusters'' Interview |publisher=Livermore's Centennial Light}}</ref><ref name="Discovery">{{citation | url = http://dsc.discovery.com/fansites/mythbusters/episode/episode.html | title = Mythbusters episode guide | publisher = [[Discovery Channel]] | access-date = 2006-12-18 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090823161257/http://dsc.discovery.com/fansites/mythbusters/episode/episode.html | archive-date = 2009-08-23 | url-status = dead }}.</ref> in the [[Public Broadcasting Service|PBS]] documentary ''Livermore'' and an episode of ''[[California's Gold]]'' with Huell Howser,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Visit by Huell Howsers Cal Gold|url=https://www.centennialbulb.org/calgold.htm|access-date=2020-10-29|website=www.centennialbulb.org}}</ref> in an episode of ''[[99% Invisible]],''<ref>{{cite web |url= http://99percentinvisible.org/episode/there-is-a-light-that-never-goes-out|title= 99% Invisible Episode 144: There Is a Light That Never Goes Out |date= December 10, 2014 }}</ref> and mentioned in the web series ''[[17776]].''<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.sbnation.com/a/17776-football/no-no-no-no-no-no-video|title = 17776 Chapter 17: No no no no no no. (Video)|date = 15 July 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.sbnation.com/a/17776-football/livermore-california|title = 17776 Chapter 18: Livermore, California.|date = 15 July 2017}}</ref>