Extraordinary story. You've done your part in extending that bulb's journey...both through the decades and across the miles. I feel it was the right decision to do so, only bringing it out occasionally. Now, nearly 40 years later, it's the right time to let it burn bright until it no longer can.
What a kick - I have that Taking Things Seriously book because Rex, and just unpacked it from a box where it's been for a long time. Will read your essay today.
Unrelated to the lightbulb, but kind of related to industrial uses, I saw this article today about Gorton, "the hardest working typeface in Manhattan," that I wanted to share with you: https://aresluna.org/the-hardest-working-font-in-manhattan/
I haven't finished reading it yet, but it is just fun to scroll through to see all of the inconspicuous places it shows up.
I hope it has a long life. A few years ago when my grandpa died, the one thing my dad wanted from his house was a lightbulb from the stairway to the basement. He told me that it was the same lightbulb my grandpa had installed over 50 years earlier when he built the house and it had never burned out, and that it was a symbol of showing up every day and doing its job, just like my grandpa had done. Lightbulbs can be pretty cool metaphors.
I vote for continuing to bring the bulb out for special occasions when its light accrues additional meaning.
Extraordinary story. You've done your part in extending that bulb's journey...both through the decades and across the miles. I feel it was the right decision to do so, only bringing it out occasionally. Now, nearly 40 years later, it's the right time to let it burn bright until it no longer can.
What a kick - I have that Taking Things Seriously book because Rex, and just unpacked it from a box where it's been for a long time. Will read your essay today.
Maybe you already know about Livermore's Centennial Light Bulb https://www.centennialbulb.org/
Did not know about the Livermore bulb - thx for the tip!
Unrelated to the lightbulb, but kind of related to industrial uses, I saw this article today about Gorton, "the hardest working typeface in Manhattan," that I wanted to share with you: https://aresluna.org/the-hardest-working-font-in-manhattan/
I haven't finished reading it yet, but it is just fun to scroll through to see all of the inconspicuous places it shows up.
That turned out to be a deep rabbit hole. Good article.
Yup, that article was mentioned/linked here on IC back when it came out. A masterpiece!
I hope it has a long life. A few years ago when my grandpa died, the one thing my dad wanted from his house was a lightbulb from the stairway to the basement. He told me that it was the same lightbulb my grandpa had installed over 50 years earlier when he built the house and it had never burned out, and that it was a symbol of showing up every day and doing its job, just like my grandpa had done. Lightbulbs can be pretty cool metaphors.