Centennial Light

The Centennial Light in Livermore, California, is the oldest known operating incandescent bulb, first illuminated in 1901 and still cared for by the local fire department. Handmade by the Shelby Electric Company in the late 1890s with a carbon filament and hand-blown glass, it has remained in fire department custody through several moves, including its 1976 transfer to Fire Station 6. Its extraordinary longevity is credited to its careful manufacture, durable filament, relatively low wattage, and the fact that it has rarely been switched off. Widely recognized since 1972, it has become a symbol of durability, craftsmanship, and local pride.

Livermore, California · United States