GE's Bright Light

Looking for a razor blade that will never dull? Keep on looking. But how about a light bulb that will last for five years? Last week General Electric introduced its "Electronic Halarc" bulb, a miniature version of the high-wattage metal halide lamps used for outdoor lighting, that will burn four times as long as incandescent bulbs on one-third the electricity.

Metal halide technology allows more energy to be transformed into light rather than given off as heat, and thus less electrical current is required.

The bulb looks like a double-dip ice cream cone, and the lower part is filled with electronic components; it will screw into standard sockets and will have two settings, a low of 75 watts and a high of 150 watts. The bulb will go on sale in 1981, which will give customers time to save up for it. Price: $10, vs. $1.50 for a conventional three-way bulb. Over its 5,000-hr. life, the company says, each Halarc could save $20 in electricity costs.

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