Livermore's Centennial Light Bulb Celebrates another Decade

June 18, 2011

The Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department (LPFD) will host a community celebration June 18 to mark the 110th year of illumination of the world’s longest burning light bulb housed in Station 6 at 4550 East Avenue in Livermore.

This enduring light bulb, now commonly referred to as the Centennial Light Bulb, was manufactured by the Shelby Electric Company of Ohio and first used by the Livermore Fire Department at its hose cart house on 2^nd Street in 1901.  It continued to service other fire department facilities before it was installed in its final home at Station 6 in 1976.  Over the years, the light bulb has garnered considerable attention, and its authenticity has been recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records and Ripley’s Believe It-Or-Not.   It is also the subject of a children’s book and forthcoming documentary, A Century of Light, which will be shown at the Vine Cinema in Livermore at 7:00 PM. on the eve of the Saturday celebration.  

Additional information about the light bulb can be found at the official website http://www.centennialbulb.org/index.htm/.

What:              Centennial Light Bulb 110^th year celebration
Where:             LPFD Station 6, 4550 East Avenue, Livermore
When:              Saturday, June 18 from Noon to 4:00 PM
Who:                Open to the general public, free of charge. 

Along with recognition of the Centennial Light Bulb, other activities will include book signings, displays of historic fire department equipment, heritage costumes, live music, children’s activities and dessert of cake and ice cream.