Throughout war, disaster and recession, it has kept Britain
illuminated for more than 120 years.
But the traditional incandescent lightbulb is finally being
switched off for the last time.
Retailers have stopped replenishing stocks of conventional
100watt bulbs and will have run out within weeks.
The voluntary withdrawal – part of a Government campaign
to force people into buying low-energy fluorescent bulbs –
follows the scrapping of the 150w bulb last year.
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The move has angered medical charities who say the low-energy
alternatives can trigger a host of ailments, including migraines,
epilepsy and skin rashes.
The lightbulb revolution was first signalled by Gordon Brown
in 2007.
The Government says the switch to low-energy bulbs will reduce
emissions of carbon dioxide by around five million tonnes
a year – the equivalent to the emissions from a typical
1gigawatt coal-fired power station.
Low-energy lightbulbs are miniature versions of the fluorescent
striplights common in offices and kitchens.
