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The lightbulb conspiracy is both real and everywhere
Posted
July 30, 2026
Views
1,608
Likes
61
Comments
15
Engagement
4.73%
July 30, 2026
1,608
61
15
4.73%
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36:25Now PlayingOver the next few episodes, we present Hidden Histories: stories that will make you rethink how the world works. First up, the conspiracy behind the lightbulb—and how it came to shape the entire consumer economy. If you ever wondered why your tech outdates so quickly or just plain fails, you can thank the lightbulb. (This episode originally aired in 2019.)
Guests:
Sally Helm, former NPR Planet Money correspondent
Markus Krajewski, author of The Great Lightbulb Conspiracy
Giles Slade, author of Made to Break: Technology and Obsolescence in America
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