Yesterday, the last American General Electric lightbulb plant in the US closed it's doors. Congress has mandated that by the year 2014 that all bulbs in use to be CFL's, you know those curly cued energy saving light bulbs that most of us are now using.
It's amazing in this day and age, that an invention created over a century ago is still in use today. Maybe old Thomas Edison was on to something there. Although it is surprising to learn that Tom didn't create the lightbulb, he only perfected the then 50 year old idea.
Edison's lightbulb was the first practical application that could be used in homes and businesses but first old Tom had a few hurdles to overcome...the electrical delivery system! Tom's first electrical power generating plant went online in 1880 providing power to a 1 square mile radius of it's location in Lower Manhattan. It serviced 59 customers at a cost of 24 cents per kilowatt hour. Old Tom's original idea and power company has long been sold and over the years his name was dropped from the company title and the company simply was called General Electric.
Besides being a way to light your home, incandescent lightbulbs are a staple in a painters stash...So it with much sadness to say goodbye to all those lovely incandescent bulbs....wonder how a painter is suppose to create a work of art using one of those new curly cued ones? Any ideas?
If I am not mistaken those new bulbs have mercury in them and when they break or burn out you need to take them to a hazmat facility they can't be thrown away..and becareful if one breaks..this is such a stupid idea to get rid of the light bulb for one of these new ones..so buy all the regulars you can...
ReplyDeleteOkay are all the old style bulbs going to be antiques soon?
ReplyDeleteI saw the vidio about the new bulbs and how to dispose of them.. They are also only manufactured over seas right now, so in a sense they just killed good ole american jobs and handed them to china! Yeah!...Leave it to Congress!...It's the American Way!
Gina,
ReplyDeleteYes, the new bulbs do have a small amount of mercury in them. It is recommended if one breaks to clear the room for 15 minutes. Not sure just how you are suppose to clean up the darn things though as sweeping them would stir up dust again. Our local Home Depot's recycle them. I put them in a small box and when I remember to take them there I do.
D
Yes, all the bulbs are going to be antiques. Lots of other countries have also made the agreement to mandate CFL's. We use them now, but are very, very careful with them and have a way to dispose of them safely. Our local Home Depot's recycle them. I don't know where they go after Home Depot takes them in.
ReplyDeleteYes, lots of American jobs have been lost due to congressional mandates. The bill fazing them out was signed in 2007 by George W, to take effect fully in 2014.
I guess one of the reasons that I even paid attention to the news report yesterday was the last GE plant that shut down was located in Winchester VA, and we use to do 2 shows a year in that town, so know the area well.
Hopefully America will wake up and demand "Made in the USA" products. Congress needs to require other countries to play fair when it comes to exports/imports...we do, so should China!
D
I am stocking up. I cannot believe they are just doing away with light bulbs!
ReplyDelete★Linda★
Yes, I've heard bad news about those curly Qued light bulbs too.
ReplyDeleteLinda,
ReplyDeleteWell you had better hurry and get all you can store. I love the softness of incandecents. The hubby likes the energy effeciency of the cfl's. I wonder what the plan is for night light type bulbs...and all those silicone dipped ones too. We'll have to do a prim gal revolt on the government if they take those away!
D
Carol,
ReplyDeleteMaybe after there is a lot more research into the potential hazards of the cfl's the law will be repealed and we will go back to good ole lightbulbs.
D