History of lighting and lamps

A look at the evolution of light from the beginning to the present

In the history of lighting and lamps, humans have long sought ways to illuminate the dark nights. The need for light within humans has caused life to continue throughout the night, despite the darkness of the night, and this has not been able to stop the will of man to continue living.

The history of lighting began with the invention of the first lamps around 70,000 years ago. The first lamps consisted of hollow stones that were filled with moss or similar materials and animal fat and then ignited. Over time, humans began to imitate natural forms by using pottery and metal lamps, adding wicks to control the fuel. Around the 7th century BC, the Greeks began making clay lamps to replace hand torches.

The word “lamp” comes from the Greek root (Λάμπω) meaning torch. Around 3000 BC, the first candle was invented, which laid the foundation for the first concept of lighting. The first generation of lanterns was invented in 300 AD, fueled by animal fat. And 100 years later, the first examples of street lamps gradually changed the structure of lighting.

1- Oil lamps

In the 18th century, the central burner was invented, which revolutionized lamp design. In these burners, the fuel source was contained in a metal chamber. An adjustable metal tube was used to control the intensity of the fuel and small glass chimneys were used to protect the flame. Swiss chemist Amy Argand introduced the first oil lamp with a hollow circular wick in 1783.

Early lighting fuels included olive oil, wax, sesame oil, and nut oil. In 1859, drilling for oil began and the kerosene lamp became popular.

2- Gas lamps

In 1792, William Murdock began the first commercial use of gas lighting, using coal gas to light his home. German inventor Friedrich Winzer patented the coal gas light in 1804. And then the thermolamp using wood distillation gas was patented in 1799. By the early 19th century, most cities in the United States and Europe had gas-lit streets. However, by the 1930s, gas lighting had given way to low-pressure sodium and high-pressure mercury, and the development of electric lighting replaced gas lighting in homes.

3- Electric arc lamps

In 1801, British chemist Sir Humphry Davy invented the first electric carbon arc lamp, the first step in producing light with electrical energy. The carbon arc lamp produced an intense light by hooking two carbon rods to an electrical source. These lamps were powered by a battery as a source of electric current. In 1835, English inventors were able to produce steady light using electric current for a short period of time, and in 1880, Edison invented the first permanent light bulb.

Then, incandescent lamps, lampshades, and cube-shaped lights became popular, usually made of glass, fabric, and metal. From the 1920s, interior decoration and changes to the living environment became widely popular, and the lighting industry also changed. Lighting fixtures and decorative lamps with luxurious and magnificent designs were introduced to the market.

Between the 1930s and 1940s, ART DECO DESIGN introduced pendant lights in red, silver and gold, which quickly became popular. During the World Wars, lighting design was influenced by wartime conditions, and spatial and psychological designs became popular. Since the 1980s, modernity and the school of minimalism have led to the design and manufacture of modern and functional lighting.

4- The first electric incandescent lamps

Sir Joseph Swan and Thomas Edison both invented the first electric filament lamps in the 1870s. Light in an incandescent lamp was produced by passing an electric current through a conductive filament. Thomas Edison’s lamp was the first commercially successful incandescent lamp, introduced around 1879, and Edison received a patent for it in 1880.

Today, incandescent bulbs are not cost-effective due to their high energy consumption and conversion of most of the energy into heat. However, they are still used in many homes.

Tungsten halogen lamps, which are similar to incandescent lamps, are designed with a longer lifespan and are divided into two categories: high pressure and low pressure.

5- Gas discharge lamps

Gas discharge lamps include fluorescent lamps and high-pressure lamps. In fluorescent lamps, an electrical discharge is produced in low-pressure mercury vapor, converting ultraviolet radiation into visible light. Compact fluorescent lamps were introduced in 1938 and quickly replaced incandescent lamps.

High-pressure gas discharge lamps, including high-pressure mercury vapor lamps, metal halide lamps, and xenon lamps, use the process of electrical discharge in metal vapor to produce light.

6. Lighting from semiconductors: LED technology | SMD | COB

The light-emitting diode (LED) was introduced in 1962. And the white LED came to market in 1997. Different generations of LEDs include DIP, SMD and COB models, each with its own unique features. LEDs have become one of the most popular light sources due to their low power consumption, long life and high efficiency.

The evolution of lighting and lamps

Conclusion

Today, lamps are an inseparable part of our daily lives, which are of great importance because they provide comfort and light. The lamps we use today are modern and advanced examples of primitive lamps that have evolved over time and with the help of scientists. From the primitive lamps that produced little light to today’s modern and efficient lamps, the history of lighting has witnessed significant developments.