The ghost of Thomas Edison is probably feeling dejected these days. His greatest invention, the incandescent light bulb, will be a thing of the past in the next couple of years. Some of us remember that, back in 2007, Congress passed an energy bill that bans incandescent light bulb by 2014.

The phase-out of incandescent light is to begin with the 100-watt bulb in 2012 and end in 2014 with the 40-watt. All light bulbs must use 25 percent to 30 percent less 2014. By 2020, bulbs must be 70 percent more efficient than they are today. Australia was the first country to announce an outright ban by 2010.

For those of us who can’t stand the light that CFL’s put off, there’s no need to search for the black market for incandescent bulbs. The technology of compact florescent bulbs (CFL) and light emitting diodes (LED) is rapidly improving.