EP 59 - 1903 Carbon Filament Light Bulb
Channel: Dielectric Videos
Date: 11/02/2019

Apologies for the poor image stabilization, I filmed this video on my phone because I was so excited to get footage of the first power-on of this amazing item!

I just received an early 20th-century incandescent light bulb with a carbon filament from eBay. In this video, I film my first power-on of this lamp (with a ballast load to limit current), and I also characterize its operating parameters (voltage, current, and power).

The label inside the bulb indicates the latest patent under which it is covered is from 1903. This suggests that the bulb was manufactured between 1903 and 1905, making it about 115 years old!

I will be installing this bulb as a permanently-active fixture, and to ensure long life I am planning to operate it at around 7.5 watts.