Centennial Light

The Centennial Light is an incandescent light bulb recognized as the oldest known operating light bulb. 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. Due to its longevity, the bulb has been noted by The Guinness Book of World Records, Ripley's Believe It or Not!, and General Electric. The light has been the subject of many TV shows and news reports along with at least four 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, it being seldomly turned off, and its low wattage. Originally a 60-watt bulb, the light has weakened over the years and now emits a dim light equivalent to a 4-watt bulb, about the strength of a typical nightlight.