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submitted 3 months ago by AFC1886VCC@reddthat.com to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml
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[-] latenightnoir@lemmy.world 30 points 3 months ago

If I remember correctly, one such example is the lightbulb. Some of the earliest designs were centered around using longer-lasting filaments than their contemporary counterparts, which meant considerably increased lifespan.

[-] QuarterSwede@lemmy.world 18 points 3 months ago

They still made them too. 130V bulbs / garage bulbs / heavy duty bulbs all lasted far longer on 120V because the filament was thicker. They basically never went out.

[-] Bougie_Birdie 12 points 3 months ago

There's a famous example of one of these bulbs that's been in operation since 1901

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centennial_Light

[-] tanisnikana@lemmy.world 2 points 3 months ago

Until some bastard up on Denali shot a football through it, just so humanity would feel loss for the first time in 15,000 years.

They grieved over a bulb cause they hadn’t lost anything else.

[-] EndlessNightmare@reddthat.com 14 points 3 months ago

There is a trade-off between efficiency and durability on incandescent light bulbs. They did sell bulbs that lasted longer, but those had lower lumen/watt.

For generic bulbs, the cost of electricity was significantly greater than the cost of the bulb. It was cheaper to replace bulbs more frequently than to waste electricity.

[-] hperrin@lemmy.world 11 points 3 months ago

Sure, but those kinds of lights are very dim. You can just use a dimmer bulb set to very low if you want that kind of longevity.

[-] joelfromaus@aussie.zone 21 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

Technology connections did a video on it. Basically the lights which lasted forever either; sucked at giving light and/or sucked at sucking power.

Light manufacturers got together and made a standard which was a sweet spot of power efficiency, longevity and light output. Unfortunately, being decent at all three meant no longer sucking at two to boost longevity.

[-] renegadespork 6 points 3 months ago

Every time I think I understand a household appliance, Technology Connections has a 20-60 minute explaining why it’s more complicated than I thought.

[-] tetris11@lemmy.ml 1 points 3 months ago
[-] chunkystyles@sopuli.xyz 1 points 3 months ago
[-] tetris11@lemmy.ml 1 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

Longevity wasn't a metric the Phoebus Cartel was actively maximising

this post was submitted on 02 Nov 2024
116 points (100.0% liked)

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