Light bulb creation. Edison light bulb. Who invented the first light bulb? Why did Edison get all the glory? History of changes in the incandescent lamp device

We are all used to and do not notice such an ordinary and everyday thing as an electric light bulb. The maximum that an average person thinks about this topic is: “should I replace an incandescent lamp with a more interesting design or switch to energy-saving technology?”. Meanwhile, for its age it was a truly revolutionary thing! There are disputes about who was the first to contribute to the invention of the first light bulb. Our compatriots are sure that this Russian engineer Alexander Nikolaevich Lodygin, but scientists from different countries worked on this problem: Swan from England, Goebel from Germany, Delarue from France, they all worked a lot in this field of scientific discoveries. Who invented the first light bulb?

ancient prototypes

How did ancient people paint caves with rock paintings when there was no natural light? Torches and bonfires? But smoke and soot come from them, and you can’t draw much like that, it’s already dark three meters from the fire ... Historians reflect on this topic and cannot come to a consensus. The only mention of lighting - on the Egyptian pyramids are depicted people in whose hands lamps very similar to electric.

First experiments with an arc lamp

The history of the invention of the electric lamp

Each student in the physics lesson went through the topic of the history of the invention of electricity. It is generally accepted that the invention of the design of a working electric lamp belongs to Thomas Edison, who published his discovery in 1879. However, this invention is much more hard work than we think.

The advent of modern electric lamps was preceded by a large number of preparatory studies in different countries of the world by inventor-scientists. The achievements of the previous generations were improved, experiments were carried out with different types of medium in which the incandescent filament was placed, the light bulb was changed and improved. The history of the invention has many stages.

The task before the scientists was simple and difficult at the same time - to get a design that could be used in everyday life. One of the promising directions was study of the effect of incandescence of various materials.

If an electric current is passed through some metals, they will glow and give a source of light. The question was only one - how to prevent overheating, melting of the material or its combustion. Many experiments have been carried out in this direction. Scientists understood that achieving a balance between the incandescent element and the environment in which it heats up would mean a giant breakthrough.

What is combustion? First of all, it is direct contact with oxygen. Since it is found in the environment, the only way to avoid burning the filament element is to limit the contact of the heating element with air. Consequently , you need a container, a lamp.

Contribution of Russian researchers

Edison era

I must say that in addition to a brilliant mindset, Thomas Edison had obvious business talent. He was the first to realize what enormous financial benefits the mass production of incandescent lamps promises. Edison began work on improving the design of the lamp in 1878 and immediately declared that he had solved the problem of the electric lamp. At that time, Edison was the inventor of the telephone and the phonograph, so he was immediately believed. Edison's statement was reflected in the stock exchange. Shares of gas companies rapidly crept down in price.

but Edison got a little excited. The problem was not immediately resolved. The inventor had the idea to create a switch for the normal operation of the lamp, so that there was no excessive overheating of the filament element. But they did not fire at the right time, which was unpleasant to the eye and led to flicker. The design was not applicable in mass production. The laboratory led by Edison conducted numerous experiments with experiments from different materials of the filament and different environments where it was placed.

The breakthrough was helped by a young fellow physicist from the Princeton Institute surnamed Upton. Physicists began to study the already obtained patents and discoveries in this area. And they came across the idea of ​​the resistance properties of metals in relation to incandescent technology. It turned out that metals with the highest coefficient of resistance heat up more easily and do not burn. By the beginning of 1880, the first results began to appear. The design that worked best was a combination of a vacuum tube and filament-shaped bamboo charcoal rods. Thus, the first efficient electric lamp appeared.

In addition to the problem of improving the incandescent lamp, Edison also dealt with the problem of lamp power. His laboratory owns the invention of the base, the switch for the lamp. After 2 years, Edison's commercial talent was revealed to its full width. The Edison Electrical Light Company was founded, with a network of stations and branch stores throughout New York, and the lamps were heavily advertised and sold. These were the first analogues of modern light bulbs.

Edison had a serious rival in England who was also working on the problem of improving the electric lamp. Englishman Swan I realized that with the help of a pump you can make a better quality vacuum. But its carbon rod was too thick and left soot, so in practice such a lamp was difficult to use.

After analyzing the successes of Edison, Swan began to use his discoveries in his lamps. He opened his own lamp manufacturing company. Edison did not leave such impudence without attention and filed a lawsuit for violation of copyright law. Disputes continued for some time, but both researchers decided to reconcile and join forces in one company. So, there was Edison Swan United, a major manufacturer of electric lamps throughout the world.

Which inventor is considered the first?

Both Russian and American inventors worked on their projects almost simultaneously.

Alexander Nikolaevich Lodygin received a patent for the invention of the lamp in 1874, Thomas Edison began research five years later.

Of course, with all due respect to the commercial talent of T. Edison, the promotion and mass use of such a necessary and useful invention, the main place for the invention of the electric lamp is rightfully given Russian inventor A. N. Lodygin.

Modern incandescent lamps are modifications of Lodygin's invention, since they have a more efficient flow of light, as well as excellent color rendering, higher efficiency. Today we have the right to be proud of our compatriot for his contribution to a brilliant and useful invention.

The question is who invented the light bulb first Oddly enough, it excites people in our time. Americans and pro-Western people are sure that T. Edison was the first. Russian patriots prove that the first one is A.N. Lodygin. But there were also the Frenchman Delarue, the Belgian Jobar, the Englishman D.W. Swan, German G. Goebel, Russian P.Ya. Yablochkov and other scientists who contributed to this invention.

The ancient forerunners of the electric light bulb

The history of the study of ancient structures - pyramids, underground paintings, caves, etc. is replete with questions and riddles. One of them is “In what kind of lighting were the paintings of these structures made in the complete absence of natural light and soot from possible torches inside the premises themselves?”. The question haunts researchers for decades.

On the walls of the pyramids themselves there is an answer that is hard for historians to believe - ancient people used lamps, most likely electric, powered by powerful batteries.

How the modern light bulb was invented

The appearance on a mass scale of electric bulbs was prepared by a number of scientists and inventors. Often they carried out their own research, but there were also those who improved or streamlined the inventions of their predecessors. Let's name the main milestones in the creation of an electric lamp:

• In 1820, Delarue tested a light bulb in which a platinum wire served as a filament. The platinum was perfectly heated and luminous, but the invention of the Frenchman remained a prototype, to which the author never returned;
• 1838 was marked by the first use of a carbon rod in the form of an incandescent element. The Belgian Jobar was engaged in research on the possibilities of its glow;
• in 1854, Goebel conducted experiments on bamboo, which he used instead of a filament. He also owns the first application for an evacuated vessel lamp. Goebel was the first to invent the electric light bulb that could be used for lighting;
• in 1860 D.W. Swan patents a lamp in which the luminous element was in a vacuum. This invention was impossible to use in mass application due to the difficulties of obtaining a vacuum;
• The year 1874 was marked by the receipt of a patent for a lamp with a carbon filament placed in a vacuum by the Russian research engineer A.N. Lodygin. This lamp was able to burn for half an hour and was used to illuminate the streets. Therefore, the Russian engineer is considered the one who invented the light bulb first in the world;
• in 1875 V.F. Didrikhson, collaborator A.N. Lodygin, improved his lamp by installing several coal hairs independent of each other, thereby extending the glow period of the device. In this lamp, when one hair burned out, the next one immediately lit up;
• Russian electrical engineer P.N. Yablochkov in 1875 - 1876 creates a lamp with a kaolin filament, which did not require a vacuum for continuous burning. Yablochkov's device differed from previous versions by the need to preheat the conductor, for example, with a match flame;
• in 1878, a patent was obtained for a lamp with a carbon fiber filament placed in rarefied oxygen. The lamp gave a bright light, but not for long. The author of the invention was D.U. Swan;
• in 1879 in the USA a patent was issued for a lamp with a platinum filament to T. Edison;
• in 1880, T. Edison creates a lamp with a carbon filament with a burning time of 40 hours. He simultaneously invents a switch for the convenience of working with lighting. Among other things, T. Edison owns the creation of a light bulb base and a cartridge for it;
• in the 1890s A.N. Lodygin designs several versions of lamps using refractory metals for the filament. For the first time, he proposes to twist the filament in a spiral and comes to the conclusion that tungsten and molybdenum are the best options for filament. The first incandescent lamps with a tungsten filament, mass-produced in America, were produced under the patent of a Russian inventor;
• filling the flask with an inert gas to extend the life of the filament and increase the brightness of lighting was first used by General Electric in 1909 on the initiative of I. Langmuir.

From the chronology of events, it can be seen that many scientist-inventors had a hand in the invention of the incandescent lamp.

The main merit of T. Edison lies in the fact that he, having oriented himself in time, being a researcher and businessman, patented the devices invented before him, improved and began their mass production. Therefore, he cannot be considered the first who invented the incandescent lamp. , but T. Edison is the one who began the mass industrial introduction of the electric light bulb into everyday life. The first inventor of the incandescent lamp used for lighting was and remains A.N. Lodygin.

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Today it is difficult to meet a person who would not know anything about incandescent lamps, even despite the progress and the abundance of other types of lighting devices. “Lamps of Ilyich” - this is how the people called the most ordinary and popular lighting devices, which to this day are in great demand among the people. Of course, the modern lighting market offers a huge range of alternative lamps, but even new devices cannot surpass incandescent lamps in some parameters.

The process of emergence and distributionincandescent bulbswas rather long and confusing, and more than one scientist-inventor contributed to the invention. The history of appearance accepted over time tells that the emergence"light bulbs of Ilyich"happened in 1872 thanks to the Russian scientist. It was he who first conducted a current through a rod of coal, which was placed in a vacuum flask made of glass. In this case, a large light output occurred due to an increase in the current strength, an excess of melting temperatures, followed by the extinction of the light bulb. Based on this experience, modes suitable for the operation of light bulbs were determined, and in 1873 they were first used on St. Petersburg streets.

It was during the same period of time that the development of light bulbs began Thomas Edison , who subsequently received a patent for them. It was after this that he began to be called the "father" of the very first electric lamps. But it is impossible to say exactly who made this discovery first, since the device was invented simultaneously in different countries. ButAlexander Nikolaevich Lodyginwith a high probability belongs the idea of ​​replacing the carbon filament with a tungsten filament, which has a high melting point (3410 ⁰С). During the same period of time Thomas Edison contributed by creating the cartridge-base threaded system, which has survived to this day practically unchanged. It is the letter E in the marking of modern socles says that their inventor was the American scientist Edison ( E - Edison Screw ). The most popular types of plinth in Russia and Europe are E27 and E14 , and in America others are used, since the voltage of the networks varies. After 20 years, another American scientist brought to life the idea of ​​​​replacing the thread with a spiral, due to which the dimensions of the light bulb decreased, the work improved and the light output increased.

incandescent lamponly at first for a non-professional person it may seem simple and uncomplicated, but it is not. This lighting device is a combination of various scientific achievements in the field of lighting engineering. To date, the incandescent spiral can be not only tungsten. Now the material of manufacture is also osmium, as well as osmium compounds. In addition, today the flask ceases to be vacuum and is filled with various inert gases. It was this innovation that helped to avoid strong atmospheric pressure on the lamp, significantly increasing the duration of its operation. After all, the current passing through the spiral provokes its strong heating (up to 2900 ⁰С) and active evaporation of tungsten, with its subsequent settling on the glass. Consequently, the flask ceases to be transparent over time, its light output decreases, and the service life of the filament decreases.

Incandescent lampsare distinguished by too bright yellow light, which causes discomfort. That is why manufacturers produce not only transparent light bulbs, but also matte ones. Such glass diffuses light, making it soft with little loss of intensity.

Despite the great popularity of this light bulb, not everyone can still make the right choice. It often happens that after the purchase the device worked for a couple of days and burned out. But it also happens that a light bulb can shine for several years. It all depends on how well you choose the lighting fixture. When buying, you need to pay attention to the following aspects:

• glass should not have any micro-inclusions, since it is their absence that ensures the reliability of the flask. The quality of the material is easily checked by gently tapping the flask with your finger. The sound emitted should be muffled;
• metal plinth must be free of any damage. The bottom contact can be either wide (up to 7 mm) or narrow (about 5 mm). The first option is the most acceptable, since the tightest contact is provided. But modern light bulbs are most often produced with a narrow contact;
• in bonding areas no holes should be formed;
• external conductor connection and the base must be carried out by ordinary soldering. It is also possible to use turning welding;
• the main thing in soldering- small size and accuracy, as well as reliable fastening;
• ruled out helix slack(the presence of slack means repeated use of the lamp).

In addition to the above aspects, more attention needs to be paid crimp spirals in the area of ​​​​its attachment to the electrodes. If the crimping was insufficient, then the service life of the device is sharply reduced.

Be sure to follow the above guidelines when choosingincandescent lamps. This will help you get a quality device that will serve you for a long time.

Trading network "Planet Electric" is pleased to offer incandescent lamps, as well as their direct replacement - LED lamps. Trading floors are represented in all major cities of the Siberian Federal District, for example, in Novosibirsk, Barnaul , Omsk . The list is not complete - complete on this page.