Livermore marks 125 years of its ‘Centennial Light Bulb’ with speeches, donations and cake

Livermore celebrated the 125th anniversary of its Centennial Light Bulb at Fire Station No. 6 on June 6, 2026, drawing residents and visitors for a program of speeches, a poem, presentation of historic materials and a ceremonial cake cutting.

Fire Chief Aaron Lacy of the Livermore Pleasanton Fire Department welcomed the crowd and described the fixture as a hand‑blown, carbon‑filament bulb manufactured in Shelby, Ohio and installed in 1901. "For our department, the Centennial Light Bulb is more than just curiosity or a world record. It's a symbol, a symbol of strength, consistency, and dependability," Lacy said.

Mayor John Marawn placed the bulb in local and national context, thanking members of the Centennial Bulb Committee — including Tom Braml, Lynn Owens, Barry Schrader and Anna Sig — for preserving the object and its story. He noted the bulb was donated to the department in 1901 by Dennis Bernell and said the Guinness Book of World Records recognized the bulb in 1972 as the oldest continuously burning light bulb. The mayor called the object "part of Livermore's identity" and urged attendees to celebrate the city's history.

Tom Braml, a retired deputy fire chief and longtime steward of the bulb, presented the department with a framed copy of the original 1972 article by Michael Dunston, who reported on the light bulb and safeguarded his piece for decades. Braml said Dunston asked that the article be donated to the department; Braml handed it to fire officials during the event.

Livermore poet laureate Peggy Shimlman read an original poem tying the bulb's small, persistent light to the city's continuity and community values. Lauren How, representing Assembly Member Rebecca Bower Cahan, presented a certificate honoring the bulb's 125 years and its place in California's heritage.

Officials recalled a 2013 camera outage that briefly alarmed remote viewers and described the informal, local steps taken to restore the bulb — including an anecdote about electrician Frank Maul 'jiggling' a switch to bring it back on. Presenters emphasized the bulb's appeal to visitors from around the world and its role as a symbol rather than as a policy issue.

The program included formal certificates of appreciation to the Livermore Pleasanton Fire Department, the Centennial Bulb Committee, the Livermore Heritage Guild and the Livermore Pleasanton Firefighters Foundation. The mayor issued a mayoral commendation dated June 6, 2026, honoring Tom Braml's decades of research and stewardship.

The celebration concluded with a ceremonial cake cutting using the city's axe and attendees singing "Happy Birthday" to the bulb. Event volunteers, including firefighters, served food; speakers encouraged guests to view displays and purchase books about the light's history. Organizers also noted that the Livermore Pleasanton Firefighters Foundation accepts donations (information and links provided via the foundation's Instagram and other channels).

No formal votes or policy actions were taken at the event; the program focused on commemoration, preservation and community outreach.