Anyone care to guess when I last changed the light bulb in the hallway of my apartment? It’s not as if I expect you to care, but the answer is August 2001.

In case you are wondering what sort of train-spotting, shop a docket, stickler for worthless details and useless information I am, let me explain.

When I purchased the light bulb (back in August 2001, yes, I did note date of purchase) the packaging claimed it was an extended life light bulb that could be expected to last up to two and a half times longer than the “average” light bulb. The benefits, you understand, were not just restricted to the consumer. The environment also benefited.. less greenhouse gas emissions, less blown bulbs ending up in landfills, etc.

But I wonder, what are the real and actual benefits to the manufacturer? Isn’t producing an extended life light bulb akin to shooting yourself in the foot? Surely you’d want to produce light bulbs that only lasted a week or something? Don’t these people care about the bottom line and profits?

But then again, maybe the answer is all too obvious. A longer lasting, higher quality product means the manufacturer can operate a meaner, leaner operation, with the bottom line very much in focus.

Of course less time and energy spent generating light bulbs, means they can do something more interesting instead, like analysing sales projections or something.

Don’t get me wrong here though; I have no problem at all with my extended life light bulb. I have 12 foot high ceilings in my apartment, and with no ladder, am thankful I only have to contemplate somehow scaling the walls and changing the damn light bulb hopefully only once every 20 months or so!