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First Arc Lamp Is Created
Humphry Davy demonstrated the first incandescent light to the Royal Institute in Great Britain, using a bank of batteries and two charcoal rods. Arc lamps provided many cities with their first electric streetlights. -
First Constant Electric Light Is Demonstrated
James Bowman Lindsay demonstrated a constant electric light at a public meeting in Scotland. Some have credited him with being the inventor of the incandescent light bulb. -
Lighting in a tube
In the 19th century, two Germans discovered that they could produce light by removing almost all of the air from a long glass tube and passing an electrical current through it. Called Geissler tubes, they became the basis of many lighting technologies including fluorescent lights. Pictured here are color drawings of early Geissler tubes. -
Edison Begins Working on Incandescent Lights
In 1878, Edison and his researchers at Menlo Park turned their attention to incandescent lamps. They focused on improving the filament -- first testing carbon, then platinum, before finally returning to a carbon filament. Pictured here is Edison's 1880 patent for the incandescent bulb. -
Developing a Whole Lighting System
Edison focused on the entire lighting system, showing that it was possible to distribute electricity from a centrally located generator with the Holborn Viaduct in London and developing the first commercial power utility in lower Manhattan. -
Developing a Whole Lighting System
Edison focused on the entire lighting system, showing that it was possible to distribute electricity from a centrally located generator with the Holborn Viaduct in London and developing the first commercial power utility in lower Manhattan. -
Precursor to Fluorescent Lights
Peter Cooper Hewitt created a blue-green light by passing an electric current through mercury vapor. The lights had few suitable uses because of the color but were one of the precursors to fluorescent lights. -
Out with the Carbon Filament and in with the Tungsen
In 1904, incandescent lamps with tungsten filaments appear on the European market. These bulbs lasted longer, were brighter and more efficient than lamps with carbon filaments.
