So, the second-oldest light bulb, the famous Ft. Worth, Texas, Palace Theater light bulb, first lighted up in 1908. For some odd reason the last post that mentioned the bulb keeps having difficulties. It took me four or five times before I realized that this year is the 100th anniversary year. As Robert Frost wondered more poetically, how many times did the apple have to hit Newton before he took the hint?
100 years old in September, 2008 -- the Palace Theater Light Bulb, Stokyards Museum, Fort Worth, Texas
The Stockyards Museum is on the ball, however.
Our famous old light bulb began burning in 1908 as a backstage light at the old Byers/Greenwald Opera House south of the Tarrant County Courthouse. It was never turned off. As the city grew and changed the old Opera House was rebuilt in 1919 into the more modern Palace Theater. All the work was done with the bulb illuminated. In 1977 the Palace Theater was replaced as Fort Worth continued to grow and eventually the Stockyards Museum was selected as its permanent home in retirement.
With any luck, we will be able to hold a super birthday celebration on September 21, 2008.
Mark your calendars: September 21, 2008. How many other lightbulbs do you know that have been burning for a century?
[…] Forth Worth’s 100-year-old lightbulb (If there are two lightbulbs more than 100 years old and still burning, are there others?) […]
LikeLike
[…] Forth Worth’s 100-year-old lightbulb (If there are two lightbulbs more than 100 years old and still burning, are there others?) […]
LikeLike
[…] Forth Worth’s 100-year-old lightbulb (If there are two lightbulbs more than 100 years old and still burning, are there others?) […]
LikeLike
[…] Forth Worth’s 100-year-old lightbulb (If there are two lightbulbs more than 100 years old and still burning, are there others?) […]
LikeLiked by 1 person
[…] Forth Worth’s 100-year-old lightbulb (If there are two lightbulbs more than 100 years old and still burning, are there others?) […]
LikeLike
[…] Forth Worth’s 100-year-old lightbulb (If there are two lightbulbs more than 100 years old and still burning, are there others?) Thomas Edison's electric lamp patent drawing and claim for the incandescent light bulb CREDIT: “New Jersey–The Wizard of Electricity–Thomas A. Edison's System of Electric Illumination,” 1880. Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress. Reproduction Number LC-USZ62-97960. […]
LikeLike
[…] Forth Worth’s 100-year-old lightbulb (If there are two lightbulbs more than 100 years old and still burning, are there others?) Thomas Edison's electric lamp patent drawing and claim for the incandescent light bulb CREDIT: “New Jersey–The Wizard of Electricity–Thomas A. Edison's System of Electric Illumination,” 1880. Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress. Reproduction Number LC-USZ62-97960. […]
LikeLike
[…] Forth Worth’s 100-year-old lightbulb (If there are two lightbulbs more than 100 years old and still burning, are there others?) Thomas Edison's electric lamp patent drawing and claim for the incandescent light bulb CREDIT: “New Jersey–The Wizard of Electricity–Thomas A. Edison's System of Electric Illumination,” 1880. Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress. Reproduction Number LC-USZ62-97960. Possibly related posts: (automatically generated) […]
LikeLike
Everybody’s a skeptic, including especially Texas Scribbler. Go see:
http://texasscribbler.com/blog/2008/07/fort_worth_light_bulbs_alleged.html
LikeLike