Everydamnthing is high tech these days. I can literally ask my TV remote to find the newest episode of Cupcake Wars, and it’ll change the channel right to it; I can turn up the heat in my house from my phone when I’m three states away; little kids’ action figures interact with tablets and gaming consoles (because your imagination is for $#!t, Kevin). Everydamnthing even includes lightbulbs.
“Acandescent” Light
Incandescent lightbulbs have been officially phased out by the Federales. (Remember a few years back when people were making a big stink about that? They’re just friggin’ lightbulbs, gang… “When incandescent bulbs are outlawed, only outlaws will have incandescent bulbs.”) In their place have come a slew of new lightbulb options (“new lightbulb options” is a phrase I never thought I’d type), including the compact fluorescents with which most of us have replaced incandescents and extremely energy-efficient, but spendy, LED bulbs.
Something something bright idea!
Something something bright idea!
These new bulbs all use less juice than the old-timey ones, which is the goal, but the light they produce is noticeably different. It can range from super bright white to weirdly bluish to almost-but-not-quite-the-same-as-incandescent light. For those of us who grew up with incandescent bulbs everywhere (which is most people, at least for now), the shift in light quality can be a little off-putting.
The Finally Light Bulb Company, straight outta Charlestown, Mass., is using way more technology than should ever go into a lightbulb to bring back the warm, soft light we’re all used to. Each of their “acandescent” lightbulbs uses an electromagnetic coil to stimulate a secret sauce of gases inside the bulb, creating ultraviolet light. A special phosphor coating on the inside of the bulb’s glass turns that UV light into visible light. Technology, right?!