Since the 19th century, incandescent light bulbs have been the mainstay in the choice of light bulbs for homes, offices and dingy street corners. The tiny but mighty light bulb has gone through only minor miniscule changes since it was first produced by Thomas Edison. The simple invention of getting electric current to pass through a filament that heats up and emits light has survived through multiple world wars and bared its teeth against other source of lights such as the LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) and CFLs (Compact Fluorescent Lamps) in its long career. Alas, its days are now numbered as countries and governments have passed down measures to phase out the 100W incandescent light bulbs in favor of CFLs.

Energy saving is the main reason cited for the phasing out of the incandescent light bulb. Compact fluorescent lamps uses as much as 80% less energy than the light bulb and can last significantly longer as well. Cuba and Venezuela have already plunged and phased out the incandescent light bulb and banned selling the light bulbs since 2005. In other parts of the world, Philippines, United States, Canada, the European Union, Australia and New Zealand have all passed down measures to phase out the light bulbs for fluorescent lighting by 2012. Australia have estimated that through the phasing out and banning of these light bulbs, greenhouse gas emissions for the country will be cut down by at least 0.14%.

While most have welcomed the new measures, others have cried foul over the demise of the long surviving light bulb. Consumers all around the world have started stockpiling their 100W light bulbs as some refuse to commit to the change. Citing health as one of their issues, fluorescent light is believed to trigger painful reactions to those with lupus. Being exposed to these new fluorescent lamps causes rashes on the skin and fluorescent lighting have also been linked to migraine and increase the risk of seizures for those with epilepsy.

Compact fluorescent lamps also emit ultraviolet and blue light, those suffering sensitive skin conditions could have their symptoms aggravated if exposed to these lights for long periods at a time. Furthermore, compact fluorescent lamps contain a relatively small amount of mercury. While it is not considered a health risk, especially to pregnant women and children if one is broken and its content will be released, a health risk could arise if several of them were to be broken at once.

Cost is also a factor for those who refuse to make the switch from incandescent light bulbs to CFLs. CFLs are more expensive than light bulbs and while the cost is repaid through its longer operating lives, operating a CFL at infrequently visited areas such as the attic or the basement does not repay the extra cost of CFL against the light bulb. Usage of CFLs in areas where the lamps are turned on frequently but for less than five minutes at a time causes a significant shortening lifespan for the CFL, making the incandescent light bulb the more logical choice in these situations.

While there will always be support for the light bulb and advocates against the compact fluorescent lamps, the truth of the matter is that CFLs are indeed the lighting solution for the future as studies have shown and proven its quality and lifetime against the humble old light bulb. With the Energy Saving Trust showing that using CFLs can cut the average UK household energy bill by 37 pounds, it is indeed time to say goodbye to the incandescent light bulb as it now becomes a mere science project for students and a centerpiece in museums around the world in the future instead of lighting up our lives during the dark.