All you need is a centennial light bulb.
The world's longest-lived light bulb is the Centennial Light, which has been burning since 1901.The Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department maintains it at 4550 East Avenue.The bulb has been noted by The Guinness Book of World Records, Ripley's Believe It or Not!, and General Electric.[4]
The light is very dim and emits the same light as a 4 watt nightlight.The common light bulb was invented by a French engineer named Adolphe Chaillet.It was manufactured in Ohio in the late 1890s by the Shelby Electric Company.Dennis Bernal donated the bulb to the Fire Department in 1901.When he sold the company, Bernal gave the bulb to the fire station.The story has been supported by volunteer firefighters.[9]
The bulb is thought to have hung in at least four locations.In 1901 it was hung in a hose cart house on L Street and then moved to a garage used by the fire and police departments.The unified department was housed in a newly constructed City Hall.There is a citation needed.
In 1972 reporter Mike Dunstan noticed its unusual longevity.He wrote "Light Bulb May Be World's Oldest" after interviewing people who had lived in the area all their lives.Dunstan contacted the Guinness Book of World Records, Ripley's Believe It or Not, and General Electric, who all confirmed that it was the longest-lived bulb in existence.The CBS-TV program On the Road with Charles Kuralt read the article.There is a citation needed.
A history of the bulb was written by a retired deputy fire chief."A Million Hours of Service" is the title.There is a citation needed.
The bulb's cord was severed for fear that it could be damaged if someone tried to remove it.The transfer took place in a specially designed box and with full firetruck escort.An electrician was working on the emergency generator at the new fire station.The bulb's continuous burning record would not be affected by the short delay.Previously, the bulb had only been off the grid for short periods of time, but since that move, it has run continuously on an uninterruptible power supply.A week in 1937 for a renovation.The bulb's 100th birthday was celebrated with a community barbecue and live music.[5]