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12 Jul 2011 20:53

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Politics: Lights out: GOP push to repeal light-bulb law forces pun usage

  • 2007 In a bipartisan bill supported by president George W. Bush, a bill raising the standards for energy-efficient light bulbs passes with little trouble. The law is popular with consumers, who see buying more energy-efficient bulbs as a way to save a bunch fo money.
  • 2011 For some reason, Republicans (particularly Joe Barton) have turned own the law, which will take effect next year, and tried to force a repeal. The repeal failed. It’s worth noting that Barton gets a lot of campaign contributions from the energy industry. source

05 Mar 2011 14:27

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Biz, Culture: Easy Bake Ovens (as we know them) dead. No brownies for you

  • We are aware that the 100-watt incandescent light bulb will no longer be available beginning in 2012. In fall 2011, Hasbro will launch the Easy Bake Ultimate Oven, introducing a new way to bake for the next generation of chefs.
  • Hasbro • Explaining how the rise of green tech accidentally killed one of the more efficient ways for six-year-old girls to bake brownies: The Easy Bake Oven. See, the “oven” used a 100-watt light bulb as its main baking mechanism. But now, the light bulbs are falling out of favor and will soon be off the market entirely, leaving Hasbro to basically invent a new style of oven. Until then, the company is shilling out its “Easy-Bake Microwave & Style” models, which (as you might guess based on the name) don’t use light bulbs. Since we’re terrible cooks and don’t trust ourselves near microwaves, our options are shrinking and we’ll likely starve to death. source

06 Jul 2009 09:59

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Tech: Let there be new, more energy-efficient, light bulbs

The innards of the light bulb on the left? Kinda junky. The innards of the one on the right? Energy efficient. Ooh, incandescent. source