We have all been there. We hit the switch on a light and nothing happens. Or are in the middle of using it went the Bulb burns out. Then there is the old, dangerous jig, often involving step-ladders and unscrewing the bulb without burning yourself, in the case of last century’s filament models. Or dropping it in all cases, broken light-bulbs and the resulting carpet of tiny, razor sharp glass deserving of a spot on the list of banned, combat weapons, along with caltrops, landmines and war-hammers. Illumination aficionados take heart for there is a new hope, in the form of an, admittedly odd looking bulb, called Durabulb, from the fine folks at Lighting Science.

How does Durabulb work?

Going by the name Durabulb LED, and sporting a look like someone had described a light bulb to an alien species circa 1987, this cutting edge innovation in lighting technology (*sarcasm not detected*) has all the design advantages of a traditional bulb, combined with the efficiency of an LED such as low heat conduction and exceptionally long life, lasting up to 10,000 hours depending on the specific use and application.

Though consumption should not be much of a concern, the Durabulb reducing energy consumption by 80% over other, old-school light-bulb models. And the earth-loving does not stop there. According to Lighting Science Business Development Executive Vice President,”Lighting Science is committed to creating products that promote sustainability and low carbon economies. By choosing the lightweight Durabulb instead of other LED bulbs, Americans have the opportunity to reduce the CO2 emissions associated with LED lights by 20,000 tonnes a year. That’s the equivalent of driving a car across the United States 16,213 times.”

Added to these already astounding improvements on a 19th century technology, is an elastic polycarbonate casing that surrounds the lighting core, adding a great amount of durability without sacrificing usability, the Durabulb still being comparatively light, despite being strong enough to withstand being dropped off the roof of a building. Then, for a real test and final proof, the research team pitted their armored light bulb, complete with built-in roll cage against the government-trained masters of destruction known as the United States Postal Service, the little bulb that could proving itself to be well and truly indestructible in terms of everyday use.

What are the costs and benefits of DuraBulb LED?

Surely such a sophisticated and efficient piece of technology must cost a king’s ransom, or at least a great deal more than other, less efficient, more easily breakable models. This logic would certainly held back in the greedy 80s and entrepreneur 90s during the original tech boom when the terms “geek” and nerd became linked with “millionaire”.

Thankfully, another trend in gear of all types, in addition to hitherto unfathomable innovation and improvements, is one for ever lowering prices, cutting-edge technology not costing nearly as much as it used to. As such the cost difference between an average LED and the unbreakable, earth-defending, money saving Durabulb is about $10.