If LED bulbs are supposed to last for 10 years, why do I still need to replace them every 9 months?

Thordros [he/him, comrade/them]@hexbear.net to Asklemmy@lemmy.ml – 148 points –

I'm in a nasty frame of mind right now, and this is what my 'tism brain decided to laser focus on for several hours. I'm mad that my light bulbs cost 10x more than they used to, and don't last any longer, and my power bill is higher than ever.

Yeah yeah, I know, it's probably just capitalism shitting it up on purpose for profit. And bulb science is probably solid, I guess. I'm just pissed off that I just barely managed to scrape through this pay period with $2.78 left in the bank before I default on my mortgage.

Anyway, any lightbulb science comrades got any info?

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This is a really interesting article on lightbulbs, which have a pretty conspiratorial past: https://interestingengineering.com/science/everlasting-lightbulbs-exist-ed

Did you know that a secret meeting was held in Geneva in 1924 between lightbulb manufacturers that lead to the formation of the 'Pheobus Cartel'?

"The main objective of this cartel was to agree to control the supply of light bulbs. Each understood that if any one of them managed to develop a long-lasting light bulb, the need for replacement bulbs would likely dry up.

Bulbs were lasting too long. Not ideal from their point of view.

So, to combat this, all members of the cartel agreed to reduce the lifespan of bulbs on purpose. Initially, this was set to no more than 1,000 hours!"

The longest-lasting lightbulb was first turned on it 1901 and is still shining.

EDIT: Seems this is a myth, see replies for more information!

Technology Connections largely debunks this myth.

Light bulb will run for a very long time if you don't want it to be bright.

https://youtu.be/zb7Bs98KmnY?si=SDXvd0E9SPFbxKSG

Correct. We've replaced all our incandescent bulbs except for two 60w contractor bulbs in the a hallway that were installed when the house was built 18 years ago. All of the original higher wattage incandescents died within the first couple of years.

Thank you for the correction

Here is a really interesting video on lightbulbs which goes into how the light bulb cartel standard was more of a min-maxing of lifespan vs energy cost vs brightness than it was planned obsolescence.

Thank you for the correction!

I've heard that story, but it doesn't fit the facts. Bulb life and efficiency is a compromise and no conspiracy is needed for manufactures to all settle on a similar optimal compromise. Long life bulbs existed back in the day, they were sometimes useful but mostly not worth it.

Also, that lightbulb that still shines today is kept on such a low output that it would not be useful for anyone.