Centennial Bulb

The longest burning light bulb in the world

Image of Centennial Bulb located in Livermore, California, US | 108 years and counting. Image of Centennial Bulb located in Livermore, California, US | The bulb hangs in the Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department.

Category Electrical Oddities

With only a few brief exceptions, the light bulb hanging in Fire Station 6 in Livermore, California has burned continuously for 108 straight years.

It wasn't until 1972 that a local reporter first took note of the unusually long-lived bulb. News of its existence spread, and the bulb soon appeared on On the Road with Charles Kuralt and in the Guinness Book of World Records and Ripley's Believe It or Not.

The bulb has been moved a few times, once unceremoniously (it was only two years old) in 1903, and then with much more pomp in 1976 when it was transferred with a full police and fire truck escort to its present site. The bulb is now cared for by the Centennial Light Bulb Committee. It has its own web site.

See an error? Know more? Edit this place.

  • Website Centennial Bulb
  • Address 4550 East Avenue, Livermore, California, 94550, United States
Sources
Map/Directions

Go to Google Maps

You can visit the bulb depending on the availability of the Firemen on hand. Go to the rear of the station and ring the bell. If they are in someone will answer the door. Otherwise you can see the bulb if you look through the window up on the top of the wall to your left. To contact them directly you may call the LPFD at (925) 454-2361.

Post a Comment

to comment. Use your Facebook account to login instantly. Anonymous comments will be held in moderation.

Enter the Captcha code below to confirm you're human:
Captcha Image

Contributors for Centennial Bulb

Nearby Places

Obscura Day is coming!

Join us March 20th, 2010 in celebrating wondrous and curious places all over the world. RSVP for expeditions and tours at obscuraday.com.

We are SXSW Web Awards Finalists

Atlas Obscura is a 2010 SXSW Web Awards finalist in the Amusement category. Help us win the People's Choice Award. Vote here.

Recent Activity

Facebook

Follow us on Twitter and Facebook

Email updates

Stay up to date on Atlas Obscura events, tours, and new features.

Elsewhere on the Web