Imagine a lightbulb that stays on when power is interrupted? Well, that’s what Charlotte entrepreneur of the year, Shaliendra Suman, not only imagined, but put into action with a Kick Starter campaign that funded the development and production of the SmartCharge LED lightbulb. A built-in battery, coupled with intelligence to detect the position of a lightswitch, allows this energy-efficient LED lightbulb to stay illuminated for up to 4 hours without power. As importantly, one can turn it off, even when the power is out, through use of the same light switch that would be used when there is power.

There could be multiple use-cases, beyond the obvious one of a lightbulb replacement. For videographers, this might be a useful portable bulb for filming in locations where AC power isn’t available. Available in multiple color temperatures and at $34.95 retail, it could be a useful and relatively inexpensive addition to a videographers tool kit.

At a $35 price point (which is expected to drop with volume), most people will probably install in only select areas within the home. Further, with a built-in battery (as opposed to replaceable battery), there is a question of whether the LED will outlive the battery. Still, this is a great first start of a very bright idea; an idea that makes real what the Adams Family’s Uncle Fester demonstrated so many years ago.