3M to unveil environmentally-friendly light bulb

6:04 PM, Aug 3, 2012   |    comments
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ST. PAUL, Minn. - A Minnesota company has decided to shine some light on an environmentally-friendly alternative to lighting your home.

3M has introduced a new LED light bulb that the company says will burn for a full 25 years.

"It's energy efficiency without the compromise. That is our mantra," said inventor, Ray Johnston, who works in the 3M Display and Graphics Business Laboratory.

Johnston said the 3M light bulb, which will be manufactured at the company's New Ulm plant, captures the familiar LED technology within a stylish design.

"We worked very hard to put out a very pleasing design. We worked with designers as well as scientists to put together a product that we feel customers will enjoy," Johnston said, adding that a "light guide" helps to soften the LED glow, giving it a more natural look.

The light bulbs do come at a hefty price, but the $25 charge will maintain the bulb will more than pay for itself over its lifetime, company officials said.

The bulb will be sold at some Wal-Mart stores in late August. The company is hoping for wider distribution after the product's release.

For more information on what 3M scientists think could revolutionize the way people light their homes, please feel free to check out the extended interview with Johnston.

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