You are so right....what good is a 40 watt light. I have half a dozen fixtures that take at least 60 W, so I’ve been stockpiling 60s and a few 100s and 3 ways for my Mom’s living room lamps. I really don’t like the curly bulbs.
40 is the bulb over the stove....like you said, a night light.
We’ve stockpiled 60, 75, and 100 watt bulbs too. Heck, there are some upstairs in the attic my in-laws bought years ago and they still work fine. Last longer than modern-day bulbs too.
Those curly things are the pits. And if you have a lampshade that sits on a light bulb, you can’t use it with the curly ones.
Gone are the days of sensible, quality items.