Muskan

· 11 Feb 2022

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When was the light bulb invented?

Born in a technologically advanced era, we are blessed to have electricity, light bulbs, internet, mobile phone and all other useful gadgets to ease our lives. Can you imagine a night without electricity? What if there is no electricity and you have to wrap up all your work or study or any other activity before the sun sets? Does it give you a terrible feel? Yes, it is. This is how the world was before invention of electricity and light bulb. Let us read ahead to understand the developmental journey of light bulb and when was the light bulb invented?

The history behind the invention of the light bulb
In 1809, Sir Humphry Davy an English chemist developed incandescent light bulbs by connecting wires and a piece of carbon to the battery. The moment wires were connected, the carbon glowed, and the light was produced. But it was momentous.
Following the idea and steps of Sir Humphry Davy, a British scientist named Warren De La Rue also attempted to invent the light bulb in 1840. His concept of inventing light was that the high melting point of platinum would allow light. In 1850, English Physicist Joseph Wilson Swan established a light bulb upon the concept of carbonized paper filaments within an evacuated glass bulb. However, it did not succeed.
In 1878, Thomas Edison commenced serious research work on the production of light bulbs. He conducted several tests for metal filaments. He also started filing patents against his invention. The patent described number of ways of creating the carbon filament with the use of threads and papers coiled in different manners. Finally, Edison and his team invented a carbonized bamboo filament that can last up to 1200 hours. Through this, the invention came to an end.
His discovery marked the invention and commercial production of light bulbs from 1880. Edison formed a company and started manufacturing light bulbs. It was named Edison Electric Light Company.

Other developments after the invention of light bulbs
The invention and the research work did not stop here. Scientists carried out immense research work to find and explore better lights. Both Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla started research work on fluorescent bulbs in the 1890s but did not commercially produce them. Instead, Peter Cooper Hewitt commenced his research on fluorescent lights and soon became the inventor of fluorescent lamps. From the 1920s to the 1930s, many European researchers worked on neon lights and tubes. These lights were presumed to be much effective and last for an extended period.  They were found to be three times more efficient than light bulbs.
It is evident from the above discussion that extensive research work resulted in better developments. No single inventor is credited with invention of light bulb. It was the work and research of many inventors that led to the invention of light bulbs.
It feels amazing to see that technology has improved the way of life. The modern period is all about LED or light-emitting diodes which consume comparatively less electricity.

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