100 Year Old Light Bulb Found Still Working in York County, PA

Phelps HYLO

Found in the basement of the Fire Museum in York County, PA the early light bulb is a fascinating find, particularly as it is still perfectly functional. The light is a Phelps HYLO bulb that was patented in 1904 and was designed as an energy saving bulb. The Phelps HYLO provides two different light levels, 1 candle and 16 candle, but you wont find a dimmer switch here. The bulb is screwed in partially to activate the 1 candle light level and screwed in further to up the light level to 16 candles. The original advertisement says that it cost 1 cent to run the bulb at the one candle level for 12 hours.

It is unclear how long the bulb has been in use but the building was constructed in 1903 and the bulb may have been put into use shortly after. The bulb has now been removed and added to the York County History Centre collection.

http://www.ydr.com/story/tech/2017/04/10/100-year-old-light-bulb-discovered-york/100265152/

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