{"id":2084,"date":"2026-06-14T12:10:21","date_gmt":"2026-06-14T12:10:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/?p=2084"},"modified":"2026-06-14T12:10:21","modified_gmt":"2026-06-14T12:10:21","slug":"livermores-long-lasting-light-bulb-turns-125","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/?p=2084","title":{"rendered":"Livermore’s long-lasting light bulb turns 125"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hundreds gathered recently in Livermore to sing happy birthday. Not to someone\u2019s child or a loved one, but a light bulb.<\/p>

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In 1901, the city\u2019s Centennial Bulb began beaming in this world and hasn\u2019t stopped since.<\/p>\n

To honor the bulb\u2019s longevity and history, a celebration was held June 6 at its home at Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department\u2019s Station 6 on East Avenue to commemorate its 125th year of operation \u2013 all part of a month-long celebration of Livermore\u2019s 150th anniversary.<\/p>\n

As part of the celebration, firefighters barbecued hot dogs and attendees ate a birthday cake hand-carved with a fire axe by Mayor John Marchand to honor the bulb\u2019s resilience. Distinguished guests filled the station, such as Fire Chief Aaron Lacey, Vice Mayor Kristie Wang, and Councilmembers Steven Dunbar and Ben Barrientos.<\/p>\n

Retired Deputy Fire Chief Tom Bramell, official Keeper of the Bulb, said he\u2019s been working under the bulb since he started as a firefighter over 53 years ago. Bramell, 78, has been its steward since he retired 23 years ago, and said he expects the bulb to continue burning for many years to come.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt fooled me over the years,\u201d Bramell told this news organization. \u201cYou think that light bulbs are going to burn out, but that one has just stayed on forever.\u201d<\/p>\n

The 60-watt, carbon-filamented bulb can be traced back to the late 1890s, when Ohio\u2019s former Shelby Electric Company sent it to Dennis Bernal, who owned the Livermore Power and Light Company at the time. Bernal donated the bulb to the fire department in 1901 to illuminate a hose cart house, where firefighters once hitched their horses to a trolley before riding out to battle fires.<\/p>\n

Today, it remains burning at about 4 watts, Bramell said, producing about 16 lumens. The bulb has only temporarily stopped shining a handful of times, including for a few hours in 1976 when it moved from the former Fire Station 1 on First and McLeod streets to its current home.<\/p>

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The city has committed to keeping the bulb lit for as long as it will last, with a special backup power supply established to kick in if the fire station\u2019s electricity goes out. Curious viewers can watch an ongoing live stream of the bulb online.<\/p>

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