When was light bulb created

However, Edison is often credited with the invention because his version was able to outstrip the earlier versions because of a combination of three factors: an effective incandescent material, a higher vacuum than others were able to achieve and a high resistance that made power distribution from a centralized source economically viable.

In , Humphry Davy invented the first electric light. He experimented with electricity and invented an electric battery. When he connected wires to his battery and a piece of carbon, the carbon glowed, producing light. His invention was known as the Electric Arc lamp. More notably, in , British scientist Warren de la Rue enclosed a coiled platinum filament in a vacuum tube and passed an electric current through it.

The design was based on the concept that the high melting point of platinum would allow it to operate at high temperatures and that the evacuated chamber would contain fewer gas molecules to react with the platinum, improving its longevity.

Although an efficient design, the cost of the platinum made it impractical for commercial production. And by he had a working prototype, but the lack of a good vacuum and an adequate supply of electricity resulted in a bulb whose lifetime was much too short to be considered an effective prodcer of light.

In , Swan developed a longer lasting light bulb using a treated cotton thread that also removed the problem of early bulb blackening. They built their lamps with different sizes and shapes of carbon rods held between electrodes in glass cylinders filled with nitrogen.

Woodward and Evans attempted to commercialize their lamp, but were unsuccessful. Bulbs tested following that lasted for 40 hours. Although Edison cannot fairly be credited as the sole inventor of the lightbulb, his final product—the result of years of collaboration and testing alongside other engineers—revolutionized the modern industrial economy.

Below is a timeline of major milestones in the development of this world-changing invention. Davy connected two wires to a battery and attached a charcoal strip between the other ends of the wires.

The charged carbon glowed, making what became known as the first-ever Electric Arc Lamp. His lamp design was worked but the cost of the precious metal platinum made this an impossible invention for wide-spread use. Joseph Wilson Swan started working with carbonized paper filaments the same year.

He used a carbonized bamboo filament placed inside a glass bulb. As de la Rue had discovered, by creating a vacuum inside the bulb an eliminating gasses, the light would cut down on blackening within the bulb and allow the filament to last longer. Swan used a carbon fiber filament derived from cotton. Edison placed his filament in an oxygen-less bulb. Edison evolved his designs for the lightbulb based on the patent he purchased from inventors, Henry Woodward, and Matthew Evans.

Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Use precise geolocation data. Select personalised content. Create a personalised content profile. I cannot say the same for all my associates. Edison decided to try a carbonized cotton thread filament. When voltage was applied to the completed bulb, it began to radiate a soft orange glow.

Just about fifteen hours later, the filament finally burned out. Further experimentation produced filaments that could burn longer and longer with each test.

Patent number , was given to Edison's electric lamp. The Edison lamp from our Attic is dated January 27, It is a product of the continued improvements Edison made to the bulb. Even though it is over a hundred years old, this bulb looks very much like the light bulbs lighting your house right now. The base, or socket, on this 19th century lamp is similar to the ones still used today.

It was one of the most important features of Edison's lamp and electrical system. The label on this bulb reads, "New Type Edison Lamp. Patented Jan.

In the early s, Edison planned and supervised the construction of the first commercial, central electric power station in New York City.

In , Edison began construction of a new laboratory in West Orange, New Jersey, where he lived and worked for the rest of his life. Before he died in , Edison patented 1, of his inventions. The wonders of his mind include the microphone, telephone receiver, universal stock ticker, phonograph, kinetoscope used to view moving pictures , storage battery, electric pen, and mimeograph. Edison improved many other existing devices as well.

From a discovery made by one of his associates, he patented the Edison effect now called thermionic diode , which is the basis for all electron tubes. Edison will forever be remembered for his contributions to the incandescent light bulb. Even though he didn't dream up the first light bulb ever crafted, and technology continues to change every day, Edison's work with light bulbs was a spark of brilliance on the timeline of invention.

At the very beginning of his experiments with the incandescent lamp in , he said:. Where this thing is going to stop Lord only knows. Note: The object pictured above is part of The Franklin Institute's protected collection of objects.

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