To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behaviour or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
A Timeline of the Light Bulb: Early Experiments to the LED Revolution
The Evolution of Artificial Light
The creative timeline of the light bulb reflects not only the evolution of technology, but also the collaborative spirit of inventors across generations. Each breakthrough built upon the last, gradually transforming fragile experiments into reliable sources of illumination that reshaped homes, cities, and daily life.
Early Sparks (1800–1850)
The story begins in 1809, when Sir Humphry Davy demonstrated the principle of incandescent light using a platinum filament. Although impractical for everyday use, his experiments proved that electricity could produce light. Inventors such as Warren de la Rue and Joseph Swan continued this work, testing materials and methods that laid the foundation for electric lighting.
Glowing Innovations (1850–1870)
By the mid-19th century, experimentation intensified. Warren de la Rue developed a coiled platinum filament, while Joseph Swan created an incandescent lamp using treated cotton thread. These designs brought inventors closer to a viable solution, proving that light could be sustained within a sealed glass bulb.
Edison’s Breakthrough (1879)
In 1879, Thomas Edison achieved what others could not: a practical and commercially viable incandescent light bulb. Using a carbonised bamboo filament inside a vacuum-sealed bulb, Edison produced a lamp that burned for hours rather than minutes. His success at Menlo Park captured global attention and marked the birth of electric lighting as a consumer technology.
Edison and Swan United (1880s)
Recognising the strength of their combined innovations, Edison and Joseph Swan merged their efforts in 1883, forming the Edison & Swan United Electric Light Company. This partnership symbolised a turning point: electric light was no longer experimental—it was becoming an industry.
Brightening Horizons (Late 19th Century)
As production expanded, incandescent bulbs began transforming streets, factories, and homes. Improvements in filament materials and vacuum technology made lamps brighter, safer, and longer-lasting. Cities glowed after dark for the first time, extending working hours and redefining urban life.
Beyond Incandescence (20th Century)
The 20th century ushered in new forms of illumination. Fluorescent lamps offered efficiency for offices and industry, halogen bulbs refined incandescent performance, and research into semiconductors opened the door to entirely new lighting methods. Light became not just brighter, but more adaptable and economical.
The LED Revolution (21st Century)
The 21st century belongs to the Light Emitting Diode. LEDs consume far less energy, last dramatically longer, and enable precise control over colour and intensity. From architectural lighting to domestic lamps and smart systems, LEDs now define how the modern world is illuminated—paving the way for a more sustainable and intelligent future.
A Time Line of the LED →
Shop Lighting →
Related Posts
Understanding IP Ratings for Lighting: A Simple Guide
What IP Ratings Mean and How to Choose the Right Protection Level IP ratings (Ingress Protection ratings) are used to describe how well an electrical product is protected against dust, dirt and water. They are especially important when choosing lighting for bathrooms, gardens and outdoor areas where fixtures face moisture, weather or splashes. This guide …
Uplighting vs Downlighting: How Each Affects Space, Mood & Function
Understanding Uplighting and Downlighting Uplights and downlights are two fundamental lighting techniques that shape how a space looks and feels. While both play important roles in interior lighting design, they create very different effects and serve distinct purposes. Understanding how uplighting and downlighting work—and where each is best used—helps create balanced, functional, and visually appealing …