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The history of the light bulb

  • The beginning of the light bulb

    In 1802, Humphry Davy invented the first electric light. He experimented with electricity and invented an electric battery. When he connected wires to his battery and a piece of carbon, the carbon glowed, producing light. His invention was known as the Electric Arc lamp. As it produced light, it didn’t Last long and was too bright for practical use.
  • The 'first light bulb'

    The 'first light bulb'
    In 1878, Thomas Edison began research into developing a practical incandescent lamp. After a couple of months Edison filed out his first patent application for "Improvement In Electric Lights". He continued to test several types of material for metal filaments to improve upon his original design.
  • The General Electric Company

    The General Electric Company
    The General Electric Company were the first to discovere a method of making tungsten filaments for use in incandescent lightbulbs. Edison himself had known tungsten would eventually prove to be the best choice for filaments in incandescent light bulbs.
  • William David Coolidge

    William David Coolidge
    William David Coolidge improved the process of manufacturing long lasting tungsten filaments.
  • The first frosted light bulb

    The first frosted light bulb
    The first frosted lightbulb was produced and adjustable power beam bulbs for car headlamps.
  • One use flash bulbs

    One use flash bulbs
    The thirties saw the invention of little one use flashbulbs for photography, and the fluorescent tanning lamp.
  • Solf light incandescent bulbs

    Solf light incandescent bulbs
    The first soft light incandescent bulbs were created.
  • Quartz glass and halogen light bulbs

    Quartz glass and halogen light bulbs
    Quartz glass and halogen light bulbs were created.
  • low wattage metal halides

    low wattage metal halides
    New low wattage metal halides were created.
  • Long life light bulbs and Compact Fluroescent light bulbs

    Long life light bulbs and Compact Fluroescent light bulbs
    Long life bulbs and Compact Fluorescent bulbs begin to be sold