When we buy table lighting accessories and energy saver lights we are reminded of the history of the humble light bulb. From Edison’s early experiments to our fluorescent future we trace the history of the light bulb.
Edison was not the sole inventor of the incandescent light bulb but the electric lamp that he patented in 1880 was a marketplace favorite. It brought light to the masses and made Edison America’s Golden boy.
In 1928 Johnny Brown and Joan Crawford danced under the newly perfected Tungsten lamp In the movie “Our Dancing Daughters” Tungsten filaments were invented in 1903 and allowed for brighter and longer lasting light – perfect for illuminating Hollywood.
In 1929 a countrywide celebration was scheduled to trumpet Edison’s light bulb. From May to October we had the Light’s Golden Jubilee which culminated in an elaborate banquet for America’s illuminati. The occasion was hosted by President Hoover and proved to be a glittering success. (days later the stock market crashed and the event was remembered as a farewell to America’s gilded age of invention.
The 1930s saw the widespread domestic use of the electric light.
During the Woodstock music festival the band the Red Hot Chili Peppers were turned on by the bulb in 1994 donning memorable self illuminating costumes for their stage show.
Fluorescent lamps first appeared on the market shelves in 1938 and by the 1950s they were lighting up most of America. They were more efficient and cheaper than their incandescent predecessors and have slowly become a global lighting standard. Edison’s filament bulb was close to extinction.
Although fluorescent bulbs are remarkably brighter and cheaper, they contain hazardous material like mercury and therefore are difficult to dispose of.
The first fluorescent compact bulb appeared in 1980. It was attended to help household’s cut down energy consumption and was invented in response to the 1973 oil crisis. In response to global warming government and Eco advocates have made efforts to phase out the traditional filament bulbs.
March 17, 2010 saw the end of the incandescent light bulb by Toshiba. They sensed a market take over by energy efficient bulbs.
From the first affordable light bulb thru the xray tube , the television to the visible LED or the MRI technology , GE scientists for the past 1340 years have lighted up our lives . they still make our world work better.
