How true is it that light bulb manufacturer like Philips, if they wanted to can make a bulb last 80 years +?

Question

When light bulbs were invented during the turn of the century, it was so durable it could last a lifetime. But manufacturer later figured out it will not be a sound business idea to make bulbs to last a lifetime, since they will incur no re-orders.

So, they had to put a shelf life to bulb to ensure cycles of repeat orders. A sound business idea.

Answer 1

Your initial premise is incorrect. Light bulbs were invented in 1879. It took a while to get a light bulb of acceptable life at a reasonable cost. There is no conspiracy to produce a junky bulb which needs replacement. In face, we now have flourescent bulbs and the longer-life bulbs as alternates to the incadesent light bulb.

Answer 2

Already, in British Columbia, as of Jan 1 this year, we can't buy 75 and 100 watt incandescents. Or, we could buy them if there were any in the stores but merchants aren't allowed to restock with those wattages, so once they're gone off the shelves there will be no more. And in 2012 it gets even worse for Canadians because there will be more restrictions on wattages of incandescents. This is all supposed to be so we save energy. I don't really understand why they think it will save much. My electricity bill is about $25 a month in summer when I can line dry clothes and don't need heat. Soon as the end of September comes and it's too wet to dry clothes outside and I have to turn the heat on, the bill jumps to $75 a month and in December/January it gets up to $125 a month. I'm plainly not using much power for lightbulbs. The summer bill is primarily for the fridge and the hot water. And I resent someone telling me what kind of light bulbs I can use. I already spent $350 installing new lights that will take CFLs. They were the cheapest I could get and I installed them myself, and I have a small house. Someone with more lighting fixtures who had to hire an electrician and couldn't find suitable cheap fixtures could spend a lot more. All I can say is, those CFLs had better save me $350 over the next 5 years or so or I'll be even more mad about this, but somehow I don't think I'm going to see a smaller hydro bill next summer when those new bulbs are all I'm using..

Answer 3

Not true.

The bulbs made at the turn of the century - where are they now?
(Hint: despite the huge electrical base and thick glass - they're all in bulb heaven now - except the ones in museums, and there not lit.)

Bulbs at the turn of the century were a good example of 19th century technology - and that's all they were.

If your premise were true - we would not be seeing all of the newer, more efficient and longer lasting bulbs on the market now - from many different manufacturers. Even without any re-orders, there's a huge market out there for the proverbial "better mouse trap."

Answer 4

I suppose its possible, but it would cost much more... There are long lasting bulbs on the market (granted they don't last 80 years) but do you always buy them? The typical person wants to spend as little as possible in the moment to accomplish their needs, so we tend to buy the 4 for 99 cent kind, and maybe the more expensive long lasting type only for hard to reach places where the pain of changing the bulb outweighs the added cost.

Answer 5

its not true at all. the bulbs can only last for 78 years. give them a little longer and i am sure they will make a bulb for 80

Answer 6

yes, thats so true!! the first bulbs are still burning now!! & yes, the bulb companys would not make any money on a "life time"bulb.

Answer 7

Yes it's true, same for pantie hose and many other products..........welcome to capitalism.

Answer 8

problematic step. query onto yahoo or google. that will can help!