Recent European guidelines have banned the use of frosted incandescent bulbs. These new regulations where set in place on the 2nd of September 2009, but it is still relatively unknown. The ban includes 60 watt pearl bulbs and 25-40 watt opaque golf ball and candle bulbs used for every day use such as desk lamps. It has been made illegal to sell and import the bulbs into Europe. But its possibly not illegal to manufacture them or export them outside of Europe? The incandescent bulb is being fazed out and replaced by the more energy efficient bulbs such as the compact fluorescent bulb. These bulbs can use up to a fifth less energy but don't produce such a brilliant colour and light. Manufactures have already started producing energy efficient bulbs that look like the traditional incandescent bulbs, but without the energy consumption. Many people have been annoyed with the new changes but bulbs are constantly changing and being developed. LEDs are reported to explode on to the market with the next ten years with new technologies and developments. LEDs produce a much better light and colour temperature than fluorescent bulbs, and can last much longer up to 50,000 hours. LEDs a currently still more expensive than the compact fluorescent bulb. But I am sure once fully developed they will replace fluorescent bulbs and incandescent bulbs will soon be long forgotten.
Until then a German designer called Ingo Maurer has launched the Euro Condom. The opaque condom fits over regular clear incandescent bulbs which aren't part of the ban despite reacquiring the same energy consumption. Once fitted the bulb will produce a light similar to that of the frosted incandescent bulb. The Euro Condom is made from a thin heat resistant silicone. Although I would love to see this on the market it was produced mostly to promote the Recent European guidelines.
Images sourced from http://www.dezeen.com/
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