AP-General Electric Takes Lead in Light Bulb Restoration

June 11, 2004

Puyallup-As recent discussions on local bulliten boards can attest, the local runs of light bulbs have been severely impacted do to over-lighting by both public and private parties.

The local Wal-Mart, for example, was down to one refrigerator bulb, a replacement bulb for a green plastic flashlight, and a red "party" light.

In an effort to restore the light bulbs to their historic abundance, not to mention to support the local hunger for fresh bulbs, General Electric, in conjunction with Bulbs Unlimited and the Washington Department of Light & Illumination, has stepped up to the plate.

Last night, as floor sweepers cleaned the aisles at the Wal-Mart, GE employees stocked sixteen rows of shelves with 245,000 25 watt incandescent light bulbs.

"Isn't it nice to see bulbs at their historic abundance?" exclaimed an unidentified employee through a haze of tears, "This proves that all of our efforts have not been in vain."

Critics worried that the public might soon find that nearly a quarter million identical small wattage light bulbs may not fill the demand for light bulbs very well, since most lights and lamps utilize larger wattage bulbs, bulbs of various sizes and shapes, bulbs of various colors, bulbs with or without halogen, or fluorescent bulbs rather than incandescent bulbs.

"The natural diversity, in size, color, wattage, and function of light bulbs is important in the general health of the lighting industry. The glut of 25 Watt incandescent bulbs may initially mask the almost total failure of WDLI's attempts to restore light bulbs, but once everyone realizes that 25 Watt incandescent bulbs aren't really useful for anything, I hope that there's time to stock the shelves with a diverse array of bulbs, " lamented a spokesman from Washington Light.

However, the Chairman of GE pooh-poohed the critics..."A light bulb is a light bulb. It's kinda round, puts out light. What's their problem, anyway? If it doesn't work in their lamp or appliance, they can just run down to the store and by the newest GE appliance or lamp, all of which have the ability to utilize 25 Watt incandescent lights."

The Chairman went on to say that GE and WDLI will be presenting a movie called "Light, Light Bulbs, and Money", an informative and enlightening documentary sharing the lighting industry's commitment to work cooperatively with the public and WDLI to restore light bulbs while at the same time satisfying stock holders in GE by making enough 25 Watt bulbs to keep the greenbacks rolling in.

The show will be held at Thomas Edison Junior High in Sumner at 7pm, Thursday night. Refreshments will be served, and the first 200 kids under 14 will receive a free 25 Watt light bulb "starter pack".