The History of Incandescent Light Bulbs

Did you know that Thomas Edison did not create the incandescent light bulb, but he only modified the invention to create it better? Check out this timeline.

1809 - Humphry Davy, an English chemist, invented the first electric light. Davy connected two wires to a battery and attached a charcoal strip betwween the other ends of the wires. The charged carbon glowed making the first arc lamp.

1820 - Warren De la Rue enclosed a platinum coil in an evacuated tube and passed an electric current through it. His lamp design was worked but the cost of the precious metal platinum made this an impossible invention for wide-spread use.

1835 - James Bowman Lindsay demonstrated constant electric lighting system using a prototype lightbulb.

1850 - Edward Shepard invented an electrical incandescent arc lamp using a charcoal filament. Joseph Wilson Swan started working with carbonized paper filaments the same year.

1854 - Henricg Globel, a German watchmaker, invented the first true lightbulb. He used a carbonized bamboo filament placed inside a glass bulb.

1875 - Herman Sprengel invented the mercury vacuum pump making it possible to develop a practical electric light bulb. Making a really good vacuum inside the bulb possible.
1875 - Henry Woodward and Matthew Evans patented a lightbulb.

1878 - Sir Joseph Wilson Swan (1828-1914), an English physicist, was the first person to invent a practical and longer-lasting electric lightbulb (13.5 hours). Swan used a carbon fiber filament derived from cotton.

1879 - Thomas Alva Edison invented a carbon filament that burned for forty hours. Edison placed his filament in an oxygenless bulb. (Edison evolved his designs for the lightbulb based on the 1875 patent he purchased from inventors, Henry Woodward and Matthew Evans.)

1880 - Edison continued to improved his lightbulb until it could last for over 1200 hours using a bamboo-derived filament.

1903 - Willis Whitnew invented a filament that would not make the inside of a lightbulb turn dark. It was a metal-coated carbon filament (a predecessor to the tungsten filament).

1906 - The General Electric Company were the first to patent a method of making tungsten filaments for use in incandesent lightbulbs. The filaments were costly.

1910 - William David Coolidge (1873-1975) invented an improved method of making tungsten filaments. The tungsten filament outlasted all other types of filaments and Coolidge made the costs practical.

1925 - The first frosted lightbulbs were produced.

1991 - Philips invented a lightbulb that lasts 60,000 hours. The bulb uses magnetic induction.


Source: About Inventors

What you need to know about the Philips L-Prize

Just when you thought all was quiet on the light bulb front, along comes another spoon of outrage to stir the pot. The latest trouble bubbled up last week with an article in the Washington Postunder the rather overheated headline “Government-subsidized green light bulb carries costly price tag.” Things went quickly downhill from there as a slew of right-leaning blogs flogged the meme of a $10 million government investment in a light bulb that the article claimed would retail for $50, far beyond a realistic price for the general consumer market.

Things got so bad so quickly that Philips, manufacturer of the now-infamous “green light bulb” was compelled to issue a press release last Friday to defend both itself and the Department of Energy, which did indeed put up $10 million for its Bright Tomorrow Lighting Prize (aka L Prize), which was designed to spur private sector investment in high-efficiency lighting technology.

So, did we really pay $10 million and all we got was this lousy $50 light bulb?

The truth about the $50 light bulb

In a word, no.

Philips states that the actual retail price of its prizewinning bulb will be closer to $20, comfortably within the L Prize requirement of $22. That’s because the bulb will be sold through partnerships with utility companies, which will offer up to $30 in rebates.

As of last summer, when Philips was announced as the L Prize winner, the Department of Energy already had 31 utilities and other partners lined up to participate in the rebate program.

How a $50 light bulb saves you money

Philips also states that even without the rebate, the lifetime cost of its new bulb is only $82 compared to $213 for a conventional incandescent bulb, based on an electricity rate of 11 cents per kilowatt hour.

The sticky wicket is that incandescent technology is so cheap and simple, we are used to treating light bulbs like we treat disposable paper cups. At the $20 price point, advanced-technology light bulbs need to be viewed more like minor household appliances, like a clock or a blender, that are worth packing up and taking with you when you move.

Calculating the true lifetime cost of Philips’s new light bulb

In a detailed analysis of the Washington Post article, Brad Johnson of Think Progress points out that an earlier version contained no textual analysis of lifetime costs, only an infographic based on “extremely wrong” calculations. The infographic was later stripped from the article without explanation and replaced with more accurate information.

Philips’s new bulb is a 60-watt equivalent LED (light emitting diode) that uses only 10 watts, and it has a life cycle of 30,000 hours as demonstrated through extensive testing during the L Prize process. According to the Department of Energy, the typical lifespan of an incandescent bulb is only 1,000 hours.

Why such a fuss over light bulbs?

As for why a high-tech light bulb would send so many pundits into a tizzy, that goes back to last year, when legislators and thought leaders in the Republican Party tried to leverage new federal energy efficiency standards for light bulbs as a political wedge issue.

The­­­ new standards – which were signed into law by President Bush – began to phase in as scheduled on January 1 with barely a ripple of protest by actual consumers, so it looks like the L Prize is the next logical target for outrage – although, in the context of the $4 billion in annual subsidies that President Obama is fond of ascribing to the oil industry, $10 million to develop beneficial energy-related technology is small potatoes.

The benefits of a $10 million light bulb

Despite its dinky size in relation to other energy-related subsidies, the L Prize could have a significant impact on the U.S. energy landscape. The Department of Energy estimates that lighting sucks up about 18 percent of total U.S. electricity generation, so lighting is a logical target for an energy efficiency makeover, which in the case of incandescent light bulbs is sorely needed.

The century-old incandescent technology uses about 10 percent of its energy for light while cranking out the other 90 percent in the form of heat, which adds insult to injury by dumping an extra demand on air conditioning systems.

If widely adopted, high-efficiency lighting like the new Philips bulb could result in significant direct savings for individual households, as well as indirect savings related to a reduced demand for more power plants.

Energy-efficient lighting could also help more households meet their full energy demand with alternative sources, namely photovoltaic installations. With more households generating their own energy on site, the need to construct large centralized power plants is further reduced.

Green bulbs, green jobs

Demand for the new bulb would also help boost job creation in the U.S., since one condition of the L Prize is a U.S. manufacturing base.

Somewhat repetitively, that puts right-wing criticism of Philips’s new bulb in or near the same U.S. job-bashing category as the recent slagging of GM’s Chevy Volt. None other than the notorious Rush Limbaugh has called the Volt practically everything but “slut,” though it is manufactured in Detroit).

More and better green light bulbs

Meanwhile, undeterred by all the brouhaha over the Philips bulb, last week the Department of Energy announced that it is forging ahead with the next phase of the L Prize Competition. The new phase is designed to spur the development of high efficiency LED replacements for spotlights and floodlights commonly used in retail stores and track lighting as well as outdoor security lights.

Source: TriplePunDit

BulbAmerica Becomes the Exclusive Retailer of Platinum Light Bulbs in North America

BulbAmerica has reached a point that allows them to offer Same-Day Free Shipping. With an exhaustive inventory of over 18,750 available items and a customer base of 150,000+, the company has achieved several milestones.


The leading wholesale retailer of quality lighting fixtures and light bulbs, BulbAmericais the exclusive online retailer of the Platinum light bulb line in North America.

America’s leading wholesale retailer of lighting products and fixtures, BulbAmerica, a Google Trusted Store, is now happy to announce becoming the exclusive North American retailer for the high end Platinum Light Bulb line.

Having been a part of the industry for almost a decade, the largest provider of quality lighting fixtures and light bulbs in the United States stocks large quantities of LED, CFLs, Halogen, incandescent bulbs, projector lamps, and various LED lighting options including LED strips. The user friendly and highly optimized website BulbAmerica.com ensures that visitors enjoy an unparalleled online product browsing experience through quick page loads and a single step checkout that allows visitors to find exactly what they need and have it shipped out in minutes.

A lighting expert at BulbAmerica.com explains, “With an exhaustive inventory of over 18,750 items available for shipment every business day and a customer base of 150,000+, the company has achieved several milestones.” Adding that “As an exclusive provider of the Platinum Light Bulbs product line, BulbAmerica has carved a niche for itself in the industry."

All orders that are in stock are shipped the same day as long as they are received by 5 pm. The entire shopping experience is richer and unique due to the dedication, commitment, and quality of their team. BulbAmerica offers the best turnaround and delivery time in the industry across all categories of lighting products and fixtures.

Renowned for the most competitive pricing in the market, the entire range of Platinum Light Bulbs are available in different shapes, wattages, voltages, bases, and beam spreads, and color temperature that can all easily be sorted using the product sorting feature that is seamlessly integrated into the website. Currently, the company is offering free shipping for over 100 different products from Platinum across the stage lighting, light bulbs, and LED lighting product categories.

Since the companies inception in 2003, BulbAmerica has been offering their customers cost effective and quality controlled products that include fluorescent, halogen light, LED, CFL, and incandescent bulbs, projector lamps, and various LED lighting options.

For more information about the light bulbs and lighting solutions that they offer at BulbAmerica or to inquire about the Platinum Light Bulbs product line that is available exclusively at their online store, visit http://www.bulbamerica.com or call 1-877-650-0775.

Source: PR Web

Earth Day: Would you buy a $60 energy-efficient light bulb?

Earth Day 2012 arrives with sticker shock: Brace yourself for the $60 light bulb.

Light bulb manufacturer Philips is flipping the switch Sunday on its new super-duper energy-efficient LED light bulb; that's when the bulb will go on sale at various outlets. The full retail price is $60, but consumers will be able to find online deals, rebates and subsidies that will cut the price by $10 or more, according to the Associated Press.

Proponents of the new light bulb, which can reportedly last up to 10 years or more, say it will ultimately save consumers money because they won’t have to replace nearly as many light bulbs over time. 

Philips says the bulb will also save plenty of energy: It consumes less than 10 watts to produce light that is the equivalent of a 60-watt incandescent bulb, saving 83% of energy in the process. The company says that if every household in the U.S. used the new bulbs instead of regular 60-watt bulbs, the nation could avoid 20 million metric tons of carbon emissions.

"That’s enough electricity to power the lights of nearly 18 million U.S. households, or nearly triple the annual electricity consumption of the city of Washington D.C.," a company fact sheet says.

That might make the price tag a little easier to swallow.

Still, the light bulb is not for every budget. Time.com points out that the average U.S. home uses 45 light bulbs, so replacing all of them would run $2,250. To quote Time.com: "Yikes."

The light bulb's release is the result of "the L Prize," a $10-million contract awarded by Congress in 2007 to the manufacturer who could find a way to replace the regular ol' light bulb, which is an energy suck. Philips won the contest by a landslide. (The AP notes that Philips "was the only entrant.")

The unveiling of the new LED bulb is just one of many events marking Earth Day this weekend.

Beach and park clean-ups are slated from coast to coast, and there's no shortage of rallies and festivals celebrating Mother Earth. One of the biggest events will be Sunday's rally from noon to 7 p.m. on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., with entertainment by Cheap Trick, and an address by the Rev. Jesse Jackson, among others.

The first Earth Day was reportedly held in 1970 in San Francisco. Since then, it has turned into a world-wide celebration. The official website says that more than 1 billion people now participate in Earth Day activities each April 22, "making it the largest civic observance in the world."


Source: LA Times

Three Finalists From Germany and the U.S. Compete for Prestigious GE Edison Award

Projects in Hohenschwangau, Germany; Ithaca, New York, and Washington, D.C., Rise to Top of Entries in 29th Annual Lighting Competition

GE Lighting (NYSE:GE) announced three finalists in its 29th annual international GE Edison Award competition today at Light+Building 2012, one of the world's largest trade fairs for lighting and intelligent buildings, held in Frankfurt, Germany. This year's finalists represent lighting design innovations for a museum renovation and expansion, a university addition and an institution's new headquarters building.

"The pool of deserving, forward-thinking applicants in this year's Edison Awards speaks to the truly remarkable things you can do with lighting," says GE Lighting President & CEO Maryrose Sylvester. "The submissions we received incorporated broadened use of LEDs and energy-efficient technologies, unique lighting placement, and lighting control strategies that showcased thought-provoking designs from lighting design teams the world over. This year's finalists truly speak to why the world of lighting has so much to celebrate."

The GE Edison Award competition is open internationally to lighting professionals who creatively employ significant use of GE light sources in a lighting design project completed during the previous year. The finalists for the 29th annual GE Edison Award include:

Museum of the Bavarian Kings in Hohenschwangau, Germany

Lighting Design Firm: Licht Kunst Licht AG, Bonn, Germany

Located in Germany's most picturesque Alpine region, the Museum of the Bavarian Kings underwent an extensive renovation. Planned by Staab Architekten from Berlin, the museum houses a permanent unique exhibition displaying the history of the Wittelsbach dynasty and their Bavarian Kings. GE halogen lamps and state-of-the-art lighting technologies, including GE Tetra® PowerGrid were employed to reveal the remarkable architecture and highlight the precious exhibits.

Cornell University, Milstein Hall, in Ithaca, New York, USA

Lighting Design Firm: Tillotson Design Associates, New York, New York

The modern architecture of Cornell University's Milstein Hall is thoughtfully intertwined with the existing historic buildings. The new addition includes flexible studio space on the upper plate, a pedestrian plaza and auditorium on the ground level, and a critique space and gallery below grade. The lighting systems are carefully integrated within the unique ceiling design and construction at each of the three levels. Fixture and lamp selections, including GE T8 and T5 fluorescent, and ConstantColor CMH® lamps, complement the building aesthetic and the specific function of each floor.

United States Institute of Peace in Washington, D.C.

Lighting Design Firm: Lam Partners, Cambridge, Massachusetts

Prominently located near the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., the headquarters of the United States Institute of Peace houses offices, an international conference center, and a public exhibition and event space. The wing-like roofs connect the building's three curving sections, enclosing two atria below. These multi-layer translucent structures presented the most challenging lighting problem: to light the roofs with no visible sources so they glow softly both inside and outside. A pervasive lighting theme, featuring GE T5 fluorescent lamps, is present throughout the building. Light sources are fully concealed or designed to disappear, revealing and animating, but never competing with the architecture.

All finalists will be invited to an awards ceremony held Tuesday, May 8, 2012, in Las Vegas, Nevada, the evening before the start of LightFair International. During this ceremony, designers who have been designated as winners of Awards of Excellence, Awards of Merit, Awards for Environmental Design, the Award for Residential Design and Special Citations will be recognized with personalized plaques acknowledging their lighting design achievements. The identity of the 29th annual GE Edison Award Winner will remain confidential until announced at the awards ceremony. The winner will receive a personalized Steuben crystal trophy and continued publicity throughout the following year. A distinctive plaque will also be presented to the owner of the winning installation.

All lighting projects submitted for award consideration must have been completed between Jan. 1, 2011, and Dec. 31, 2011. For more information about the GE Edison Awards, visitwww.GEEdisonAward.com.

About GE Lighting

GE Lighting invents with the vigor of its founder Thomas Edison to develop energy-efficient solutions that change the way people light their world in commercial, industrial, municipal and residential settings. The business employs over 17,000 people in more than 100 countries, and sells products under the Reveal® and Energy Smart® consumer brands, and Evolve™, GTx, Immersion™, Infusion™, Lumination® and Tetra® commercial brands, all trademarks of GE. General Electric (NYSE:GE) works on things that matter to build a world that works better. For more information, visit www.gelighting.com.

Source: Globe News Wire

How to brighten up your home with new lighting

The key to brightening up your home is to diversify lighting, so that there isn't one glaring light casting stark and jarring contrasts across the room. Below are a number of different, pleasurable light sources that can help make your home more aesthetically pleasing.

Task lighting
As the name suggests, task lighting will help you get things done. It helps you throughout the house. In the kitchen, task lighting is particularly important because you will need to see well while cooking with the stove or preparing food on a cutting board. Lighting under your cabinets will help you find supplies easier, and pendant fixtures help keep your general work area illuminated. Reading and desk lamps help with your scholastic projects and pleasures.

Ben Gibbs, the owner of Gibbs Electric (an electrical contracting firm), recommended LED (light-emitting diode) technology because it lasts longer and saves you more money.

Accent lighting
Accent lighting draws attention to a particular object or location. This type of lighting can emphasize different areas. When you enter a room, your view is largely framed by the primary light source. Many times, the room will be so bright that you won't even know where the light sources are. However, if you dim the main light fixture, you can highlight  pictures or create dynamic contrasts with smaller light sources.

Ambient lighting
Ambient lighting is the general illumination of a room that sets the mood of the space. In photography, it references light sources that are not explicitly supplied by the photographer (such as off-camera lights) that alter the atmosphere of the scene. In your home, whatever sets the overall tone is ambient light. This can be achieved by candles, ceiling-mounted lights, chandeliers or pendant lighting.

Delicate curtains 
Another great way to enliven your home with new lighting is to incorporate natural light. If you replace heavy drapes with airy curtains or blinds, you will benefit from the natural daylight while maintaining your privacy. You won't need to use as much electricity powering your man-made light fixtures during the day. Since the sun changes its position over the course of the day, you will benefit from different angles, shadows and tones. During sunrise and sunset--the golden hours--the right room can be filled with gorgeous tones of amber and gold.

Skylights
Skylights can be horizontal windows or roof lanterns. Owing to their optimal positioning, skylights allow more sunshine to enter your home and distribute it more evenly throughout a room. There is a novelty aspect to skylights because they cannot be equipped in all rooms and regular windows are clearly far more common.

However, skylights are inexpensive and shouldn't be thought of as a luxury item. Aside from their pleasant presence and captivating appearance, they will reduce your reliance on other forms of expensive lighting. They work particularly well in areas such as the kitchen or family room, where a lot of people congregate and light will be needed throughout the day.

Only install skylights if the sun passes directly over the top of your house, unobstructed by trees. Emmy award-winning home design expert Christopher Lowell said, "I've seen people go to the expense of installing them only to find out later that no direct sun light ever reaches them."

Internal windows
Internal windows will allow light from throughout the house to flow from one room to another. Aside from animating your home, this will also open up your home and make it appear more spacious and inviting.

Source: Fox News

Meet the $60 ‘Earth Day’ LED light bulb

HO/AFP/GETTY IMAGES - This handout image shows a prize-winning, super energy saving LED bulb from the Dutch electronics giant Philips. The 10-watt light bulb, said to last over 20 years, went on sale online and in stores Sunday to coincide with Earth Day.

Just in time for Earth Day, Dutch electronics company Philips unveiled a new super energy-efficient light bulb Sunday with a shelf life that should last about 25 years.

The catch? It costs about $60, but Philips is said to have forged deals with some stores to bring that cost down to about $20, according to the BBC. Still, that price might be too high for consumers, as VentureBeat has previously pointed out.

The new bulbs are made of light emitting diodes (LEDs) that are more energy-efficient than traditional incandescent bulbs, and have same color quality as standard bulbs. LEDs are typically found in TVs, computers, and car headlights.

Philip’s new bulb won the Bright Tomorrow competition last year from the U.S. Department of Energy, which asked companies to create an affordable energy-efficient alternative to the standard 60-watt incandescent light bulb. Philip was an easy winner, as the only entrant in the competition.

Even at the cheaper $20 price, the new LED lights face heavy competition from the much cheaper  compact fluorescent bulbs.

The new bulbs hit retail store shelves Sunday.

Photo via Philips

Copyright 2012, VentureBeat

Source: Washington Post