By: Daniel Nardini
When I went to my nearest convenience store, I went to the light bulb section. One thing I have noticed is that the incandescent light bulbs were being phased out. They were on sale for $1.99 for a box of three. On the other hand, the new type of LED light bulbs were on sale for $3.03 for just one . According to energy experts, the new type of light bulbs will last twice as long and waste less energy—hence costing us less money in the long run. That may be so, but right now they cost three times as much compared to the old type of light bulb. Of course, they say that the new type of light bulbs will come down in price in the future. Maybe. All I know is that I will be buying the old type of light bulbs until I have no choice but to buy the new ones. Then when I have to buy the new type I had better be able to cough up the money. I have heard that all over the world they are replacing the old incandescent light bulb. Brazil and Venezuela were among the first to adopt the new LED light bulbs in 2005. Great Britain adopted the new LED light bulbs and is now phasing out the old type. The United States is among the last to do this.
The incandescent light bulb as we know it today was perfected by Thomas A. Edison in 1880. The light bulb had been around before, but Edison had made it efficient, last longer, and could produce it more cheaply. Because of this the incandescent light bulb became commercially viable and was being manufactured in the tens of millions all around the world. Eventually the whole world became electrified, and the use of natural gas for street lamps, home lamps, and office lights were replaced by the light bulb. It was a miracle of science and technology that helped change our world. Today we cannot even imagine living without the light bulb, nor imagine what the world was like without it. But then the light bulb helped bring about something that had never been a part of our lives before either—electricity. The very essence of the point of the light bulb was to extend electricity to every corner of the world. Without the light bulb we would have no electric plug extensions. Without the electric light bulb we would have no way to efficiently see the machines we operate. Without the light bulb there would be no way to operate cars in the dark. And finally, electric equipment and radio and finally TV panels and inner parts would not be possible without the light bulb (or smaller versions of it).
Now they are talking about making more efficient light bulbs. Of course, I have to ask myself if the material in the new light bulbs are environmentally safe? Are these new light bulbs worth the cost of buying them? Sadly, corporate business seems to be dictating again what consumers should have and should do. We are not given a choice on whether we can have the old light bulbs or use the new ones. Well, the incandescent light bulb is being assigned to the pages of history just like the analog TV. It will be missed.
An Ode to the Incandescent Light Bulb
By: Daniel Nardini
The incandescent light bulb as we know it today was perfected by Thomas A. Edison in 1880. The light bulb had been around before, but Edison had made it efficient, last longer, and could produce it more cheaply. Because of this the incandescent light bulb became commercially viable and was being manufactured in the tens of millions all around the world. Eventually the whole world became electrified, and the use of natural gas for street lamps, home lamps, and office lights were replaced by the light bulb. It was a miracle of science and technology that helped change our world. Today we cannot even imagine living without the light bulb, nor imagine what the world was like without it. But then the light bulb helped bring about something that had never been a part of our lives before either—electricity. The very essence of the point of the light bulb was to extend electricity to every corner of the world. Without the light bulb we would have no electric plug extensions. Without the electric light bulb we would have no way to efficiently see the machines we operate. Without the light bulb there would be no way to operate cars in the dark. And finally, electric equipment and radio and finally TV panels and inner parts would not be possible without the light bulb (or smaller versions of it).
Now they are talking about making more efficient light bulbs. Of course, I have to ask myself if the material in the new light bulbs are environmentally safe? Are these new light bulbs worth the cost of buying them? Sadly, corporate business seems to be dictating again what consumers should have and should do. We are not given a choice on whether we can have the old light bulbs or use the new ones. Well, the incandescent light bulb is being assigned to the pages of history just like the analog TV. It will be missed.