Â鶹´«Ã½

First light

Why do light-bulb filaments usually blow when switched on, and not at the end of a long evening’s use when they are at their hottest and most hard-working?

Alan Staten, St Ives, Cornwall, UK

Topics: Last Word

More from Â鶹´«Ã½

Explore the latest news, articles and features

Health

Peptides are the latest wellness trend – but do they work?

Comment

Humans

Mystery hominin left big footprints at ancient lake in Africa

News

Environment

Getting a bit more gas from the North Sea doesn’t matter climate-wise

Comment

Space

We’ve found the best example yet of an enormous wandering black hole

News

Popular articles

Trending Â鶹´«Ã½ articles

Eye implant that restores vision lost to age approved for use

Your body changes as you age and so should your diet – here’s how 

Getting a bit more gas from the North Sea doesn’t matter climate-wise

Clothes made from living fungi can clean and repair themselves

There are only a few anti-ageing supplements that actually work

AI’s solution to 87-year-old riddle takes mathematicians by surprise

Mystery hominin left big footprints at ancient lake in Africa

How the science of healthspan helps keep pets thriving for longer

Dark energy doesn’t exist, claims controversial paper

Inhaling high-dose CO2 clears Alzheimer’s proteins from the brain