Not everyone is thrilled with the upcoming removal of 100-watt incandescent light bulbs from the marketplace starting in 2011. Among those not emotionally or psychologically prepared for that reality: Fans of the popular kids' Easy-Bake Oven, which has been using a light bulb since 1963, when the first model hit the toy shelves.
In "The Easy-Bake Oven loses its soul," Salon writer Francis Lam notes that "rumors of the death" of the oven are "greatly exaggerated:"
Rumbling through the Internets yesterday were worries that the federal ban on incandescent light bulbs, due to kick in next year, meant that everyone's favorite bulb-powered childhood burn hazard was doomed. Happily, Hasbro announced that the Easy-Bake Oven would be reborn, all Phoenix-like, as the Easy-Bake Ultimate Oven. Only this time it's going to be fired with some zippy little heating element, which means that some kid somewhere is going to be very unhappy when his parents rip the thing apart insisting that they can change the bulb themselves.
... I mean, that a 100-watt bulb was so inefficient at turning energy into light that it could cook a cake as a byproduct is sort of its own argument against itself. Still, I can't help feeling a little something may be lost with the change.
Indeed, the oven — inducted (so to speak) into the National Toy Hall of Fame in 2006 — has a venerable place in American society, reflecting the eras with its various looks and colors.
The oven started with turquoise color (and the 2010 model has that retro color and look, as an homage to its beginnings), has been pink (of course), and even — egad — avocado green in the late '60s. Hasbro's own Easy-Bake Oven history notes that the god-awful green "was replaced by harvest gold (ah the 70s)" in 1970.
But, it's what's under the hood that now has many shaken.
"We are aware that the 100-watt incandescent light bulb will no longer be available beginning in 2012," a Hasbro spokesperson told msnbc.com "In fall 2011, Hasbro will launch the Easy-Bake Ultimate Oven, introducing a new way to bake for the next generation of chefs. This new oven features a heating element that does not use a light bulb and offers an extensive assortment of mixes reflective of the hottest baking trends for today."
In a press release about the 2011 model, Hasbro says:
This brand new oven has a stylish look and modern functions perfect for today’s tweens! Girls will love to gather with their friends to create and decorate sweet and savory snacks in this new oven which features a heating element, similar to a conventional oven and that does not require a light bulb.
The new oven will bake "an extended menu that includes cookies, red velvet cupcakes, checker cakes, pizza, pretzels, cinnamon twists and brownie sticks."
And also noted: "Adult participation and electricity required."
Me, I'm waiting for the solar-powered version of the Easy-Bake, thank you very much.
Catch up with Suzanne (who really should never get near any oven because she's a terrible cook) on Twitter, or join our conversation at the Technolog Facebook page.
