Centennial Light

World's longest-burning lightbulb — first switched on in 1901

Address Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Station 6, 4550 East Avenue, Livermore, CA 94550

The world's longest-continuously-burning lightbulb, hanging in the engine room of Livermore Fire Station 6 since 1976 — and burning since 15 June 1901, when it was first switched on at the Livermore fire department's earlier premises. The Guinness Book of Records, Ripley's Believe It or Not and the BBC have all confirmed its status.

The fire station hosts the bulb in a small public lobby with information panels. Visitors are welcome during opening hours; check ahead. The bulb has its own dedicated 24-hour webcam, the "BulbCam," so you can verify from anywhere in the world that it is still glowing.

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The Centennial Light has been burning, almost continuously, since June 1901 — over 1.2 million hours. It is a hand-blown carbon-filament bulb made by the Shelby Electric Company of Ohio, and the secret of its longevity is thought to lie in the thicker filament and the modest 4-watt operating power. A live camera streams the bulb online so you can check it is still on without leaving your sofa.