With the phase-out of inefficient incandescent bulbs, even the biggest incandescent bulb in the world is converting to LED.
Wait…what?
After two years of renovations, the 134-foot monument dedicated to Thomas Edison in Edison, New Jersey is reopening to the public. The tower’s 14-foot glass pinnacle is meant to represent an incandescent light bulb, Edison’s most notable invention. This summer, the glass replica will no longer burn with an array of incandescent light bulbs. To save energy and reduce maintenance, the bulbs will be replaced with LED lamps.
The irony!
According to Edison’s museum, the incandescent bulbs were unreliable and often burned out. When the bulbs needed to be changed, workers had to climb a narrow ladder up the tower. This problem is nearly eliminated since the LEDs can last 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs,
The Thomas Alva Edison Memorial Tower stands on the site of Edison’s Menlo Park laboratory—the same location where he perfected the first commercially practical incandescent light bulb. The monument was dedicated on February 11, 1938, on what would have been his 91st birthday.
Although the change is quite ironic, many think Edison would’ve approved! Kathleen Carlucci, the director of interpretation at Edison’s museum, told NJ.com that Edison was all for innovation. Paul Israel, a Rutgers professor and Thomas Edison Expert, said Edison was very aware of the inefficiencies of the incandescent bulb and would’ve seen the change as a positive thing.
If Edison would’ve approved, then I, Dr. Bulb, think it’s an excellent idea. Changing to LED lighting is a great way to remember the innovation of Edison’s ideas and inventions—while also saving energy (and the sanity of the park’s maintenance workers).
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