YouTube Deep Summary

The Secret History of the Feebas Cartel: How Light Bulb Lifespans Were Intentionally Shortened

In December 1924, a clandestine meeting took place in Geneva, Switzerland that would shape the future of the global lighting industry. Top executives from the world's leading light bulb manufacturers—including Philips, International General Electric, Tokyo Electric, Osram from Germany, and the UK's Associated Electric—gathered in secret to form what became known as the Feebas Cartel, named after Feebas, the Greek god of light.

The Formation of the Feebas Cartel

At the time, the electrical industry was undergoing significant consolidation. Numerous small light bulb manufacturers had been absorbed into a handful of dominant corporations, each controlling a major regional market. Despite their dominance, these companies shared a common concern: the increasing longevity of light bulbs was threatening their sales.

The Problem of Longer-Lasting Light Bulbs

In the early 1920s, light bulbs were becoming more durable. For instance, Osram sold 63 million bulbs in 1923, but the following year, sales plummeted to just 28 million. The reason? Bulbs were lasting too long, meaning consumers didn’t need to replace them as often, directly impacting the manufacturers’ profits.

The Solution: Planned Obsolescence

To tackle this issue, the cartel members agreed to deliberately reduce the lifespan of their light bulbs to about 1,000 hours—half of what the average lifespan had been. This agreement was a form of planned obsolescence, where products are designed with a limited useful life to encourage repeat purchases.

Enforcement and Compliance

To ensure compliance, each company was required to submit sample bulbs from their production lines for rigorous testing. These bulbs were placed on large test stands to measure their lifespan accurately. If a bulb lasted significantly longer than the 1,000-hour limit, the manufacturer faced fines. Historical records confirm that such penalties were indeed issued, demonstrating how seriously the cartel enforced these rules.

Legacy and Impact

The Feebas Cartel's actions had a profound impact on consumer products and the business practices of the 20th century, illustrating an early example of planned obsolescence. This strategy helped maintain steady demand but also raised ethical questions about corporate control and consumer rights—discussions that continue today in various industries.

Conclusion

The secret 1924 meeting in Geneva reveals a fascinating chapter in industrial history, where collaboration between global giants shaped not only the market but also the very design and durability of everyday products. Understanding this history sheds light on the origins of planned obsolescence and encourages us to think critically about the products we use and the motivations behind their design.

By uncovering the story of the Feebas Cartel, we gain insight into how competition, corporate cooperation, and consumer impact intertwine in the evolution of technology and industry.