We learn so much from TikTok, and thanks to one user, we now know what those red “spare” bulbs seen in string light packs are for.
Our heads are blown by the TikToker @viznelly’s demonstration of their work on the video-sharing site.
The video is available to view below:
“I was today years old when I found out what these are for,” they explained.
A short while later, they replaced the red bulb with one of the regular bulbs in the string of lights that looked to be off.
They continued, “Wait for it,” and then the lights quickly changed.
People were enthralled by the remarks, with many finding it difficult to comprehend how changing the bulb might alter how the lights function.
One individual explained: “Old light strings include a “extra” light with a red tip. The entire string of lights blinks when another bulb is installed in its place.”
While another added: “The old string lights ran at a constant power supply, by adding the red globe that is made different, the power cuts in and out.”
A third added: “Being a child of the 1990s…
I thought everyone knew this… We didn’t always have remote control lights!!”
Others were stunned that they never realised earlier, with one person commenting: “1000% thought they were spares. I have been robbed.”
And another added: “I thought it was a tester to see what bulbs don’t work??”
Meanwhile a third said: “Dude all they had to do was write that somewhere on the box. I wasted so many years not knowing about this.”
Others on the other hand were shocked that people didn’t already know about the little red bulbs, with another person thinking it was ‘common knowledge’.
“I used to put up the christmas lights at my parents house so i didn’t know that this wasn’t common knowledge,” they said.
And another commented: “I known for years since i was a kid, im 33 now.”
And a third added: “Thought everyone knew this. We called them blinkers!”
Although many contemporary Christmas lights now have remote controls or switches on the plugs, at least now we are aware of the functions of these tiny red bulbs in case we ever come across them.
