# How many Dopers does it take to change a lightbulb? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 2, 2014, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dopers-does-it-take-to-change-a-lightbulb/700182 "2014-10-02T13:41:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![jharvey963](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/54ee81/32.png) [@jharvey963](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jharvey963)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2014, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dopers-does-it-take-to-change-a-lightbulb/700182/41 "2014-10-15T17:23:19Z")
> [@Drum\_God](#): > > I have a light fixture over my staircase. The bulb has burned out and I need to replace it. Being over a staircase, I cannot easily bring in a step ladder and reach it. The last time I changed the bulb, I put my daughter on my shoulders and she reached up and changed the bulb. We used a very long-lasting CFL, so we are both years older. She is no longer my 100 pound teenager and I am… well, I’m older, too. > > The challenge here is that the lamp is in a shade that hangs from the ceiling on a single cord. I have a pole to turn the lamp, but in this case, it simply turns the entire fixture. Any thoughts on what to grab the shade with so that it doesn’t turn when I use the pole to unscrew the bulb? Okay, now that all the jokes are done, did you get the light bulb changed? And how did you do it? J. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2014, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dopers-does-it-take-to-change-a-lightbulb/700182/42 "2014-10-15T17:43:11Z")
> [@jharvey963](#): > > Okay, now that all the jokes are done, did you get the light bulb changed? And how did you do it? > > J. It wasn’t burnt out after all. Was in the wrong house. ---
**Author:** ![Emtar\_KronJonDerSohn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/58956e/32.png) [@Emtar\_KronJonDerSohn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emtar_KronJonDerSohn)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2014, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dopers-does-it-take-to-change-a-lightbulb/700182/43 "2014-10-15T18:02:42Z")
My ac filter is in the ceiling over the stairs. I have a Little Giant ladder which I am able to set up as a step ladder with different length legs. I put the shorter side on a higher step than the other and climb to the very top of the ladder and I can just barely reach. It’s absolutely terrifying and although I change the other filter which is located in a 7’ soffit every month, I only change the ridiculous 14’ deathwish filter every 3 or 4 months. ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2014, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dopers-does-it-take-to-change-a-lightbulb/700182/44 "2014-10-15T19:56:57Z")
I’m thinking the easiest option is to simply buy a new house with a working light bulb. ---
**Author:** ![Bumbershoot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbershoot/32/3428_2.png) [@Bumbershoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbershoot)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2014, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dopers-does-it-take-to-change-a-lightbulb/700182/45 "2014-10-15T20:10:47Z")
> [@ZenBeam](#): > > **Drum God** , any update? Surely with all the “help” you’re getting here, you’ve solved your problem? 🙂 I’ll bet he forgot to turn off the power. ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2014, 8:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dopers-does-it-take-to-change-a-lightbulb/700182/46 "2014-10-16T08:43:40Z")
> [@Bumbershoot](#): > > I’ll bet he forgot to turn off the power. Gosh! I hope he remembered to use a potato… ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2014, 9:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dopers-does-it-take-to-change-a-lightbulb/700182/47 "2014-10-16T09:40:29Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > Let’s see… You forgot to mention the English guy who (irrelevantly) will point out that our bulbs have a bayonet fitting. ---
**Author:** ![upend](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/b3f665/32.png) [@upend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/upend)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2014, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dopers-does-it-take-to-change-a-lightbulb/700182/48 "2014-10-16T12:14:36Z")
> [@bob\_2](#): > > You forgot to mention the English guy who (irrelevantly) will point out that our bulbs have a bayonet fitting. Did you know that we Brits use bayonet fittings whilst You Americans are mostly screwed. thankyou, I’m here all week. ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2014, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dopers-does-it-take-to-change-a-lightbulb/700182/49 "2014-10-16T14:20:47Z")
## I’d heard it takes three or four, but I forget where I heard that. Am reliably told one doper can do it. Ignorance fought. ## One, IF HE’S PREPARED. ## Is the bulb fluorescent, incandescent, or high opal? One. But to reach it, he has to stand on an airplane on a treadmill and hope the spinning wheels will generate sufficient lift to reach the socket. ---
**Author:** ![PlainJain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5daacb/32.png) [@PlainJain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlainJain)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2014, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dopers-does-it-take-to-change-a-lightbulb/700182/50 "2014-10-16T14:29:46Z")
Yes, but how do they change light bulbs in Spain!? ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2014, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dopers-does-it-take-to-change-a-lightbulb/700182/51 "2014-10-16T17:30:42Z")
Has anyone suggested using a [remote controlled blimp](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=160851&highlight=blimps)? ---
**Author:** ![TheseGoToEleven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/848f3c/32.png) [@TheseGoToEleven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheseGoToEleven)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2014, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dopers-does-it-take-to-change-a-lightbulb/700182/52 "2014-10-16T18:32:37Z")
The stair platform is a great idea, but since it’s custom built to match that set of stairs, if will not be useful anywhere else. What you need is a pair of “Ladder Legs”, which can be adjusted to any kind of uneven surface, such as this: [http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ladder-Leg-Levelers-Kit-Safety-Stabilizers-Non-Slip-Rubber-Feet-Uneven-Surfaces-/350585038075?pt=LH\_DefaultDomain\_0&hash=item51a07f24fb](http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ladder-Leg-Levelers-Kit-Safety-Stabilizers-Non-Slip-Rubber-Feet-Uneven-Surfaces-/350585038075?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item51a07f24fb) ---
**Author:** ![Gymnopithys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/fbc32d/32.png) [@Gymnopithys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gymnopithys)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2014, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dopers-does-it-take-to-change-a-lightbulb/700182/53 "2014-10-16T19:07:21Z")
If Cecil can’t answer this question, how in the world do you expect us to ? ---
**Author:** ![Bumbershoot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbershoot/32/3428_2.png) [@Bumbershoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbershoot)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2014, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dopers-does-it-take-to-change-a-lightbulb/700182/54 "2014-10-17T12:34:22Z")
I recommend [jumping stilts](https://www.google.com/search?q=poweriser&rlz=1C1CHFX_enUS566US566&es_sm=122&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=pAtBVP_1B8SZ8QHu0YHgBg&ved=0CAoQ_AUoAw&biw=1366&bih=643#tbm=isch&q=power+stilts)- but you’d have to be a fast screwer. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2014, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dopers-does-it-take-to-change-a-lightbulb/700182/55 "2014-10-17T16:12:24Z")
> [@Bumbershoot](#): > > I recommend [jumping stilts](https://www.google.com/search?q=poweriser&rlz=1C1CHFX_enUS566US566&es_sm=122&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=pAtBVP_1B8SZ8QHu0YHgBg&ved=0CAoQ_AUoAw&biw=1366&bih=643#tbm=isch&q=power+stilts)- but you’d have to be a fast screwer. My wife says… Oh, wait, never mind. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![brujaja](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4af34b/32.png) [@brujaja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brujaja)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2014, 8:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dopers-does-it-take-to-change-a-lightbulb/700182/56 "2014-10-18T08:34:10Z")
In Soviet Russia,\* lightbulb\* change _you_! ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2014, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dopers-does-it-take-to-change-a-lightbulb/700182/57 "2014-10-18T21:23:54Z")
Take a hammer and break the switch. If anyone asks about the light say “It doesn’t work, the switch is broken”. ---
**Author:** ![sweat209](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc348/32.png) [@sweat209](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweat209)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2014, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dopers-does-it-take-to-change-a-lightbulb/700182/58 "2014-10-18T21:38:46Z")
This is very dumb.With so many people having problems with it over the stars why on earth would they put it over the stars. Was the construction people smoking crack. I would never buy a house with this set up. Do they think people are tall like giants. ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2014, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dopers-does-it-take-to-change-a-lightbulb/700182/59 "2014-10-19T14:16:45Z")
> [@sweat209](#): > > With so many people having problems with it over the stars why on earth would they put it over the stars. You’re gonna need a bigger ladder. [/Chief Brody] ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2014, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dopers-does-it-take-to-change-a-lightbulb/700182/60 "2014-10-24T12:40:35Z")
> [@Zakalwe](#): > > adaher to tell us that recent polling data indicates the lightbulb was doomed in the next election anyway. > > elucidator to make some pithy comment about the toughness of hippie light bulbs back in the day and how easy today’s liberal lightbulbs have it. > > smapti to tell us that if the lightbulb had only done what the cop told it to do, it would still be shining. > > Bricker to tell an involved legal hypothetical with the goal of convincing us that the old lighbulb didn’t actually do anything wrong by burning out. > > Some random StormFronters to come in and tell us that the reason the old bulb burned out is that it wasn’t pure white. > > ETA: zeldar to post a poll about which lighbulb will next win the Lightbulb Belt. And Shodan to give you his regards. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dopers-does-it-take-to-change-a-lightbulb/700182.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dopers-does-it-take-to-change-a-lightbulb/700182.md?page=4)