Time Capsule From GE Reveals Working 1912 Light Bulb

GE Lighting’s Nela Park Campus in Cleveland, Ohio is celebrating its 100th anniversary in April 2013. To kick off the celebration, they unearthed a time capsule this week buried in the cornerstone of one of the original buildings. Inside were photos, journals, a local newspaper, and five incandescent light bulbs packed in sand that date back to 1912.

Can you believe that one of those light bulbs worked when engineers connected it to power? GE spokesman David Schellerman said he believed the light bulb was a 40-watt tungsten filament incandescent bulb; but that it will be cleaned and tested further.

Emily Widle

Emily graduated from UNC Chapel Hill with a degree in journalism. She enjoys scouring the news to report on the latest in the lighting industry as well as bringing valuable remodeling tips and exemplar home projects to light.