What does it really take to change a light bulb?

The question has been asked a million different ways – and it turns out that no comedian knows the answer. When we set out to change the incandescent light bulb in 2007, we knew that we were attempting to make history.

Since the incandescent bulb was introduced in 1835, no other bulb has matched its ability to transform a room. Imagine everything this little bulb has made possible over the past 176 years. Too bad it sucks up so much energy.

In an attempt to make a good thing better, we assembled a team of electrical engineers, chemists, physicists, and technology experts in the heart of Silicon Valley, and resolved to do what had never been done before. Make light right.

In the process, we learned what it takes to change a light bulb:

• 86,000 hours of research and development
• 1,600 failed experiments
• 11 engineers
• Dozens of consultants
• 30,100 LED lights
• 406 pizzas
• 3,042 bagels
• 26,012 cups of coffee
• 1,094 cases of diet soda

And now you know.