The History of Lighting

Since Thomas Edison perfected the initial structure of the incandescent lights there has been continuous attempts to improve them. Over the past two centuries scientists have been researching ways to create bulbs which are practical for a variety of occasions. The recent up-rise of attempts to enforce and create a more energy efficient economy has pushed scientists to develop new and unprecedented ideas which would result in a great profit for them. These past centuries have been undoubtedly gratifying for the light bulb industry as technological advances have allowed us to acquire a superior form of lighting to the generation before us.
How did the Electric Light Bulb Industry Begin?
Attempts to create a usable electric light bulb have been researched and tested by scientists since 1806. At this time, Humphrey Davy created a blinding electrical lamp which was unsuitable for domestic use but was later utilised in lighthouses and by war search lights. Lighting which was named 'incandescence' was discovered and scientists experimented with various materials to perfect this particular electrical source of illumination but many failed.
Eventually, Thomas Edison solved the problem that many scientists devoted their lives to and produced the first practical incandescent bulb. He did this by using carbonised bamboo burners which burned for a fantastic 600 hours and was undoubtedly a revolution for the industry.
What Happened after Thomas Edison's Creation? Once Edison had mastered the incandescent light bulb it only influenced scientists to better such inventions. It all started with Willis Whitnew who came up with a way to avoid the bulb case turning black and filling up with soot by adding a metal-coating for the carbon filament in 1903. 1910 brought longer-lasting bulbs and William David Coolidge improved the process of the manufacturing to do so.
With inventive minds coming up with fantastic new machinery and new ways of portraying light bulbs the 1900s were a good time for the rising of lighting industries.
1920s - 'Frosted' bulbs made an appearance on the market and along with them came power beam bulbs for cars and neon lights.
1930s - The first photography one-time flash bulbs and the tanning lamp which became a must-have for many fashion conscious girls.
1940s - Incandescent bulbs with softer lights appeared on the market.
1950s - The halogen light bulb was born.
1960/70s - Brighter bulbs started to be sold by lighting companies by introducing reflectors and mirrors.
1980s - Lower wattage lights were introduced for the energy conscious.
1990s - A revolutionary turn for light bulbs hit the shelves manufactured by Phillips with their astonishing 60,000+ hour lights.
There is no doubt that the electric lighting world has come a long way since its birth in the 19th century and a lot of research is being carried out at the moment for energy efficient alternatives. With phenomenal technological advances within the past century who knows where the light bulb will be in a decades time.
At the moment there are fantastic, and more energy saving alternatives to the regular incandescent bulbs such as LED and halogen. Due to the up rise in interest of climate change and lack of fossil fuels it is almost impossible to be ignorant to a more energy efficient economy and with advances in lighting you can co-operate whilst saving money and helping the environment.