EVOLUTION OF LIGHT BULBS [1800 - 2020] | Invention of Lights | History of Light bulbs |

Summary

The video explores the evolution of light bulbs, from the invention of the arc lamp by Humphrey Davy in 1802 to modern LED technology. It discusses key innovations such as the incandescent bulb, improved by Thomas Edison, and tungsten filaments developed by General Electric. The introduction of compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) in the 1990s led to greater energy efficiency. The video highlights how LEDs, the most energy-efficient option today, use semiconductors instead of filaments and offer long lifespans and lower energy consumption, revolutionizing lighting technology.

Takeaways

• 💡 The electric arc lamp was invented by Humphry Davy in 1802, generating light through an electric spark between carbon rods.
• 🔥 The arc lamp had issues with the spark flickering if the gap between the carbon rods was too large.
• 🧑‍🔬 Warren De La Rue made an advancement in 1840 by using a coiled platinum filament inside a vacuum tube to emit light, but it was expensive and short-lived.
• 💡 Thomas Edison improved the incandescent light bulb design in 1879 by experimenting with different filament materials and filed patents, eventually leading to practical light bulbs.
• 🔧 In 1910, William David Coolidge at General Electric improved the tungsten filament's manufacturing process, making the bulbs more durable.
• 🚗 Specialty light bulbs emerged in the 1920s and 1930s, including frosted bulbs, adjustable power bulbs for cars, and neon lights.
• 🌟 Compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) became popular in the 1990s, offering greater energy efficiency (25% less energy) and longer lifespans than halogen bulbs.
• 💡 LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) are the most energy-efficient bulbs, with a luminous efficacy of 70-100 lumens per watt and a lifespan of over 50,000 hours.
• 🌡️ LEDs also reduce heat, which can lower air conditioning costs due to their minimal heat footprint.
• 🌈 Over time, advancements in lighting technology allowed for colored light bulbs and innovations focused on improving energy efficiency and lifespan.

Q & A

Who is credited with inventing the first electric light, and what was it called?

Humphrey Davy is credited with inventing the first electric light in 1802, which was called the electric arc lamp.

How does an arc lamp work?

An arc lamp generates an electric spark in the air between two carbon rods. The rods vaporize at high temperatures, and an electron exchange takes place between ions in the air and the carbon vapor, allowing electric current to pass between the electrodes.

What was a major limitation of the arc lamp?

A major limitation of the arc lamp was that if the gap between the carbon rods became too large, the spark would flicker and eventually die out.

What was the key innovation introduced by Warren De La Rue in 1840?

Warren De La Rue introduced a key innovation by placing a coiled platinum filament inside a sealed vacuum tube, which he connected to an electric current to produce light. However, this design was expensive and had a short lifespan.

What role did Thomas Edison play in the development of light bulbs?

Thomas Edison bought the patent for an electric light design from Henry Woodward and Matthew Evans in 1879, and after continued experimentation with different filament materials, he successfully filed a patent for a commercially viable electric light bulb.

What breakthrough did William David Coolidge make in 1910 for incandescent bulbs?

William David Coolidge developed a process that allowed tungsten filaments to last longer in incandescent bulbs, which improved their durability and commercial viability.

How did light bulbs evolve in the 1920s and 1930s?

The 1920s and 1930s saw the introduction of specialty light bulbs, such as frosted bulbs, bulbs with adjustable power, neon lighting, car headlights, fluorescent tanning lamps, and photographic flash bulbs.

What were some major innovations in light bulb technology during the 1990s?

The 1990s saw innovations like the magnetic induction light bulb, which had a life expectancy of 60,000 hours, and environmental advancements such as compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) and full-spectrum light bulbs.

What are the benefits of compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) compared to halogen bulbs?

CFLs are brighter, require 25% less energy than halogen bulbs, and have a much longer lifespan, lasting between 6,000 to 15,000 hours.

How do light-emitting diodes (LEDs) differ from incandescent and fluorescent bulbs?

LEDs do not use filaments, which means they last longer and don't burn out over time. They are a form of solid-state lighting, converting electricity to light using a semiconductor. LEDs are highly energy-efficient, saving up to 80% of the energy used by other bulbs and producing less heat.