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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 →
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