I, too, have used the current regulating characteristic of ye olde light bulb. I've got several of those good old $4 incandescent headlights stored away just in case and one 1992 vehicle that uses them. The effect is due to the filament having higher resistance when hotter. I think that applies to any metal and I'm sure Mexico Wanderer will soon come up with a handy substitute device easy to make and even lower cost. Make it sturdier, too - it would be nice if it lasted at least a senior's lifetime. I would try a nail or hay wire first.
I went crazy over fluorescent tube lights in the 1980s because I liked larger emission area lights and lower kWh usage. Alas, now no screw in light sockets left in our house for LED bulbs. LED tube replacements are not satisfying because they have the ballast inefficiency and the annoying cheap sockets.
Now, at last, very attractive LED fixtures are in the stores. I really like the $35 round ones at Costco, brighter than a pair of 4 foot fluorescent tubes, and made to be easy to install.
Costco A $50 shop light I bought at Costco last week is bigger and brighter. Not such a good price at Home Depot, but a big bright 4 foot x 1 foot x 1 inch fixture from there graces our kitchen and is a big hit. I'm hopeful no parts of these lights will be going to the dump in my lifetime. I still have a few fluorescent fixtures and tubes to dispose of and then I'll be done with that nonsense.
