The is a landmark in the history of lighting.
Lighting has a long history and technological advancements continue to take place. Lighting has become such a staple in our culture that laws have been developed to mandate how bright car lights need to be and how much lighting a workplace must provide.
Early History
Early versions of the lamp have been found in the Lascaux caves in France, which date back 15,000 years. These lamps were made out of shells, horns, stones, and rocks. The lamps were filled with grease and contained a fiber wick. Animal or vegetable fat was used as fuel.
Developments
In 1806, Humphrey Davy demonstrated a powerful electric lamp, called an "arc lamp." However, it required so much energy that it was impractical for use. By 1817, candles, oil lanterns and gas lamps were utilized as the main source of light during nighttime hours. Electric generators were developed to provide the energy for light sources used in public buildings and lighthouses. It wasn't until Thomas Edison created the first practical electrical light bulb as well as an electrical system to support it that electric light became available in home and office settings.
Modern Lighting
Debate has arisen over who first invented the light-emitting diode (LED). Four independent American research groups are generally credited with its invention in 1962. However, new information has come to light on the work by a Russian radio technician named Oleg Vladimirovich Losev, who published details of the first ever LED in 1927. LED lights are longer-lasting and more energy-efficient than compact fluorescent and incandescent lights.
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