107-year-old Light Bulb Still Burns

If this isn’t proof that GE and every other light bulb manufacture has built obsolescent light bulbs for decades, I don’t know what is. Located at a Livermore, California firestation, the 4-watt bulb got its own 100 year celebration (7 years ago) and has burned more than 1 million hours.

[NBC10]

1 comment May 6th, 2008

The Hand Crank Lamp

When the power goes out there are a few options: flashlights/battery operated lights, or candles. Candles aren’t practical with kids, and chances are the batteries are half dead from the last power outage. I know the hand cranked flashlights exists, but it doesn’t provide true ambient light. Designed by Efrain E. Velez, and entered into the Greener Gadgets Design Competition, the Krank Lamp plays off an old technology, but places it in a nice sleek package. The stem of the lamp, shaped very much like an old manual drill, can be cranked for one minute, which provides enough power to illuminate the LEDs for 40 - 60 minutes. To make it extra green, the aluminum body is fully recyclable.

[Gizmag]

1 comment March 5th, 2008

Energizer Launches Rechargeable Home LED Lights

Energizer use to be a one trick pony. But these days they’re actually diversifying and introducing some innovative and useful products. Today they unveiled their ‘Light on Demand’ line of products. Useful in a power outage, the Light on Demand line of products contain a rechargeable and removable light stick that double as a flashlight. So whether the power is on or not, the lights will shine. Some of the models double as regular everyday lights as well. The Light on Demand line of products are composed of LED lights so they’re low energy, will last much longer then a standard tungsten light, and are cool to the touch making them ideal for children’s rooms.

Available at Target February ’08 and else where Spring/Summer ‘08.

The product website doesn’t seem to be working, but there is more info here.

Update: Energizer’s PR company contacted me today and said the Light On Demand products would cost $25 - $70.

Via Press Release

Add comment February 11th, 2008

Ann Arbor to Go All LED StreetLights in the Next Year

When most people think Michigan they definitely don’t think ‘wave of the future’. But, starting now (actually Nov. 2007) and rolled out over the next 2 years, Ann Arbor will replace all street lights with LED lights. The city set a precedent by testing 25 LED lights over 3 years proving a 50% cut in energy use, and in turn calculating a complete return on investment ($630k) in 3.8 years for all city street lights replaced. Best of all it will reduce CO2 emissions by 2,425 tons annually, which is equivalent to 400 vehicles off the road.

Picture above is the best example I could find.

Official announcement here and originally found here.

1 comment January 28th, 2008