Light Bulb and Lighting System
Thomas Edison’s work on the light bulb is often seen as a groundbreaking achievement, but his success was not due to a single theory. Instead, Edison developed a systematic, top-down approach that involved years of research, experimentation, and innovation. His goal was not just to invent a light bulb, but to create a practical and commercially viable electric lighting system that could be used on a large scale.
One of the key insights that led to Edison’s success was his realization that a high-resistance lamp was necessary to make a distributed power system feasible. Without this, electric lighting could not be used widely because the system would require too much power. By using a high-resistance filament, Edison was able to ensure that less power was needed to produce light, making it possible to create a cost-effective and scalable system.
Another important element in Edison’s design was the vacuum inside the glass bulb. This was critical because, without a vacuum, the filament would burn out too quickly due to the oxygen in the air. The vacuum kept the filament from deteriorating rapidly, allowing the bulb to last longer. This innovation made Edison’s light bulb not just a novelty, but a practical solution that could be used in everyday life.
Edison’s success was also a result of his massive, multi-year effort that involved thousands of experiments. He tested a wide variety of materials for the filament, eventually settling on carbonized bamboo, which was durable and effective. His work went beyond just the light bulb itself. Edison also focused on developing the infrastructure needed to make electric lighting widely available, including generators and a distribution network to deliver electricity to homes and businesses.
Edison’s comprehensive approach to electric lighting revolutionized the way people lived and worked. His invention paved the way for the modern electrical grid and made electric light a practical option for homes, streets, and businesses. Edison didn’t just invent the light bulb; he created an entire system that made electricity accessible and useful, forever changing the world.
THOMAS EDISON AND HENRY FORD
In 1896, Thomas Edison, the great inventor who invented the electric bulb, was working on an idea to design a car when he heard that a young man who worked in his company had created an experimental car.
Edison met the youngman at his company's party in New York and interviewed him about the car. He was impressed! He had the same idea as the young man but he was considering electricity as the power source while the young man used gasoline engine to power the car. He slammed his fist down and shouted "young man, that's the thing! You have it! .. I think you are on to something! I encourage you to continue your pursuits!"
With these words of encouragement from the most highly respected inventor in the United States at that time, HENRY FORD, continued his work, invented a car and became wealthy.
On december 9, 1914, Thomas Edison's laboratory and factory got burnt. He was 67years old and the damage was too extensive for insurance cover. Before the ashes were cold, Henry Ford handed Edison a cheque of $750,000 with a note saying that Edison can have more if he needed it!
In 1916, Henry Ford relocated his home to the building next to Edison's home and when Edison couldn't walk and was confined to a wheelchair by his doctors, Henry Ford also bought a wheelchair in his house so that he could run wheelchair race with his friend and mentor!
Thomas Edison made Henry Ford believe in himself and got a friend for life!
See Also
Keely
Keely Chronology
Edison
Edison and Keely
Firestone-Edison-Ford
Henry Ford
THOMAS EDISON