maybe he had very strong sunblock on 

yeah i saw him u just cover the tube and boom u are done im thinking yeah u just touched the sun for about 20 sec also 

I have seen this before, I thought phosphor was poisonous, as he gets it all over his hands?

True, but this was made in the early 90s (fantastic show, the whole series), and Tim's still going strong now - so that's got to say something!

I'd well recommend tracking down a copy of the series - or at least the episode on the lightbulb.  There are a couple of sites dedicated to the show which have download links, though they are somewhat flaky I've found.

Both Tim and Rex have a real knack for explaining how things that we take completely for granted work in a way that anyone can understand - but at the same time not seeming to treat the viewer like an idiot.  That's a tricky balance to manage.

Just recently I found the whole episode also on Youtube, split into 3 parts.
Really worth watching, they explain each of the different light source technologies so clearly and in an entertaining fashion that would be impossible in todays health & safety-obsessed world!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8klJEX1pmPQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUCjWhrknbI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSZ-3wScePM