It looks like GE is going to stop developing incandescent technology.  More specifically, they are ceasing development of their high-efficiency incandescent lamps (HEI’s).  We were going to be seeing an HEI lamp with no mercury and better light quality than that of a CFL, but bans that have been coming as close as 2012 from places like Australia, Canada, and some US states have made GE change their minds.

GE will now be focusing on LED lamps and their OLED brethren.  David Schuellerman from GE said, about their current plans:

GE Consumers & Industrial and GE Global Research have suspended the development of the high-efficiency incandescent lamp (HEI) to place greater focus and investment on what we believe will be the ultimate in energy efficient lighting — light emitting diodes (LEDs) and organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). Research and development of these technologies is moving at an impressive pace and will be ready for general lighting in the near future. LEDs and OLEDs used in general lighting are now poised to surpass the projected efficiency levels of HEI, along with other energy-efficient technologies like fluorescent, and have the additional benefits of long life and durability.

Thanks, Clean Technica, for the article!

Unless your “casual recreational use” of ’shrooms back in the hayday has turned all lamps into mushrooms for you - and in which case I’m sorry - you’ll probably like this lamp, which is another installment of design by Jaime Salm and Katherine Wise.

The Shroom Lamp is designed as a tabletop lamp, with the light emanating from the 100% wool shade.  The Shroom Lamp is shown in the images with a CFL, which makes this lamp even more “earthen” in appearance - in this case, quite figuratively.

From the Shroom Lamp product page:

Designed as mood lighting for tabletop and floor use, Shroom lights are ideal as nightlights or in clusters around living areas. Their warm light and soft felt shade are inviting to both sight and touch.

Philosophy
Using traditional felt molding technologies and local manufacturers as a source of inspiration, the Shroom Light explores felt’s natural beauty as a material for diffusing light. Material density softens and directs light, producing relaxing atmospheres that range from the warm and relaxed to the psychedelic and fun.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN from JimOnLight!

When I was trying to find some funny image to post for this goulish day, I discovered something eerily related to light, and what a perfect venue in which to post it!  Sorry, I wish that I had discovered these sooner!!!

Halloween Compact Fluorescent Lamps!

HA!  Check out this pretty simple video from the people at Commoncraft.

Gotham Lighting Recalls Compact Fluorescent Recessed Ceiling Lights; Can Fail to Work in an Emergency

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Products: Gotham Compact Fluorescent Downlights (Recessed Ceiling Lights)

Units: About 30,000

Manufacturer: Gotham Lighting, of Conyers, Ga.

Hazard: The relay on the backup battery of the lights could be programmed incorrectly and prevent the lights from functioning in an emergency.

Incidents/Injuries: No injuries have been reported.

Description: Only Gotham Compact Fluorescent Downlights sold with the optional backup battery pack are included in the recall. The lights are recessed ceiling lights that were manufactured between November 1, 2007 and July 31, 2008.

Sold by: Electrical distributors and sales representatives nationwide from November 2007 through July 2008 for between $250 and $350.

Manufactured in: United States and China

Remedy: Consumers should inspect the fixtures immediately and contact Gotham Lighting to receive a repair for the light fixture.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Gotham Lighting at (800) 315-4982 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.gothamlighting.com

Jaymi over at EcoGeek posted an article about Panama’s “Operation Light Bulb” a few days ago. Panama is apparently buying and distributing about $13 Mil in compact fluorescent lamps among its citizens to ease demand strain on the power grid.

Panama found it cheaper to distribute cheaper sources rather than build more power stations and generating facilities.  Apparently this is a so-so move, because CFL’s aren’t really cheaper than everyone thinks.  I mean, nothing’s perfect - CFL’s have their own issues, like everything else.  Ever purchased a cheap CFL?  They look like cold-fluorescent crap.  There exists the mercury issue.  Places like Ikea and Home Depot are recycling CFL’s, but in a place like Panama, where the alternative is rolling blackouts and power grid shortages, what’s the real solution?

I got nothing.  Let’s hope that someone figures out the world’s power problem sooner than later.

Most lighting professionals know the dangers of compact fluorescent lamps after their useful lives - mercury remaining in the lamp can leak in landfills and leave a lasting and permanent mar on the earth.  In order to help combat this unfortunate aspect of an energy-saving light source, Home Depot has started a recycling program for CFL’s at all 1,973 of their stores in the US, creating the largest and most widespread recycling program for CFL’s to date.

From a lighting designer’s point of view, it’s great to save energy (and $$$) by using CFL’s, but they’re definitely not the prettiest source available for the home.  Nowadays I guess it might be fashionable to surpass cost for beauty - but I work in an industry that consumes electricity like electricians consume beers, so beauty is often the more important aspect of a light source.  Don’t get me wrong, the usefulness of CFL’s can help the average household can save between $12 and $20 per month by switching to CFL’s.

Check out the excellent article from the New York Times on Home Depot’s program here.

Home Depot’s EcoOptions page is here, check it out!

Also, last but not least, go read this ridiculously awesome article by Routing By Rumor on compact fluorescent lamps.