Recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records, the bulb has been burning for-or-less continuously since 1901. It was installed just months after the death of Queen Victoria, and two years before the Wright brothers' first flight.
The bulb has actually been off for short periods of time due to power outages, and during a move of the fire station. It is now powered by a generator with a surge protector to prevent damage to the bulb.
The bulb has been featured in many articles, books, and television programs (including Mythbusters). In keeping with its notoriety, the City of Livermore is hosting a public birthday celebration for the bulb on Saturday, June 18, 2011.And of course the bulb has its own website, at www.centennialbulb.org. Among the features on the site is a Bulb Cam which is updated every ten seconds.
