Hundreds gathered in Livermore on June 6, 2026, to celebrate the 125th birthday of the world's longest-burning light bulb, the Centennial Bulb, at Fire Station #6. The event was part of Livermore's 150th anniversary month-long celebration.
The 4-watt, carbon-filament bulb, originally a 60-watt bulb manufactured by the Shelby Electric Company in Ohio around 1899-1900, has been burning continuously for over a century. It was donated to the fire department in 1901 by Dennis Bernal, owner of the Livermore Power and Light Company, to illuminate a hose cart house.
The bulb has only stopped shining a few times, including during a move in 1976. Retired Deputy Fire Chief Tom Bramell, 78, the official Keeper of the Bulb, has been its steward for 23 years and expressed amazement at its longevity.
The celebration featured a barbecue, a cake carved with a fire axe by Mayor John Marchand, and music by the band Element 116. The bulb has global recognition, including a Guinness World Record, and has drawn visitors from Austria, Australia, and Germany.
Mayor Marchand noted the bulb's symbolism of durability and dependability in an era of disposable products. The city has installed a backup power supply to keep the bulb lit indefinitely.
A live stream of the bulb is available online.