The ordinary incandescent light bulb, which is used in almost every home, is often referred to as an Edison light bulb. The history of its invention was not so simple. It has come a long way before bringing artificial light to billions of people.
Edison Bulb
American Thomas Alva Edison is one of the most enterprising people in this world. He owns about 4 thousand patents for various inventions. This man became the author of the phonograph, telegraph, carbon microphone, kinetoscope, iron-nickel battery and other devices. It is with his name that the idea of \u200b\u200bcreating an incandescent light bulb is associated.
However, the Edison light bulb with a carbon filament inside was far from the first in the world. More than ten inventors worked on the problem of creating an artificial light source. Lamps of various shapes and sizes appeared, inside of which bamboo, platinum and carbon threads were located. Many of them have been officially registered.
Why, among so many inventors, only Edison got worldwide fame? Its main role manifested itself notin the idea of creating a lamp, but in developing a way to make the mechanism easy to use, cheap and widely available.
First attempts
It's hard to say exactly who the author of the idea to create a light bulb. But, before the Edison light bulb appeared, hundreds of experiments were carried out and many similar inventions were claimed. First, arc, and only then incandescent bulbs appear. In the 19th century, the discovery of the phenomenon of a voltaic arc led inventors to the idea of creating artificial light. This required connecting two connected wires to electricity, and then slightly moving away from each other. So a glow appeared between the wires.
There is evidence that the Belgian Gerard was the first to create a lamp with a carbon rod. A current was applied to the device, and the rod produced light. Later it became known about the Englishman Delarue, who replaced the coal with a platinum thread.
Such light bulbs were considered valuable discoveries, but their application was accompanied by great difficulties. The platinum thread was an expensive pleasure; not everyone could afford to use such a lamp. The carbon rod was much cheaper, but it was not enough for a long time.
Solid progress
In 1854, the German watchmaker Heinrich Goebel creates a lamp with a thin carbon rod that shines much longer than the previous ones. The inventor managed to achieve this by creating a vacuum. Goebel's lamp was unnoticed for a long time, and only years later it was announced as the first light bulb,fit for practical use (by invalidating Edison's patent).
Joseph Swan, Alexander Lodygin worked on the improvement of the mechanism. The latter patents the invention of a "filament lamp" operating on a carbon rod in a vacuum. In 1875, Pavel Yablochkov noticeably distinguished himself by inventing "electric candles". The Russian engineer used a kaolin filament that didn't need a vacuum. Yablochkov's lamps were used for street lighting and became widespread in Europe.
Improvement of the mechanism
The main direction has long been known. A rod made of a certain material is placed in a vacuum and connected to an electric current. It remained to choose the right material for the electrode, for a long glow.
In 1878, Edison became interested in finding a good solution for light bulbs. The inventor acted by the method of practical tests: he carbonized a mass of plants, substituted various materials as a filament. After 6,000 experiments, he manages to make a lamp out of bamboo charcoal that lasts 40 hours. The Edison light bulb begins to be mass-produced, displacing other light bulbs on the market. In 1890, engineer Lodygin registers the use of a tungsten rod, and later sells the patent to General Electric.
Edison Merits
While developing the lamp, Edison understood that in addition to the choice of materials, the design of the mechanism was also important. So, he invents the screw base,lamp holder, creates fuses, counters, first switches, power generators. Many of Edison's lighting components are standard and are still in use around the world.
The inventor made light bulbs available to everyone. To do this, he began to sell them at a reduced price. Edison's light bulb cost a little over a dollar. The plans of the enterprising American were to make the invention so accessible that even wax candles would seem like a luxury in comparison. Rapid automation of production allowed to reduce costs and at the same time produce a large number of goods. Soon the cost of the lamp became about 22 cents. The inventor's dream came true - light bulbs appeared in every home.
Edison bulbs in the interior
Nowadays light bulbs are commonplace. They are affordable and very easy to use. Moreover, many different types and models of lamps have appeared. Their practical value has faded into the background, now they have become an important addition to the home interior.
"Edison bulb" (see photo above) is the name of a certain type of lamp. They are decorated in a retro style and are similar to those used in the days of Thomas Edison. Such lamps emit a soft, pleasant light, they look like a glass bulb or a ball on a strong cord. Edison bulbs are often used to design public spaces - bars, cafes, or to decorate living rooms and bedrooms.
