The Invention of the Lightbulb

Jamie McNeil
Per. 5
US History
October 22, 2013


     Although it looks small and its design is relatively simple on the exterior, the interior of a light bulb is a working piece of art. A prevalent invention in the United States, it has changed significantly along with history. The first light bulb was called the "arc bulb" and it developed during pre-Industrial Revolution time. It was impressive compared to a lighted candle for light sources, but it proved to be large and difficult to move and manage in the common household. New improvements started being made and from then on, there was a constant battle to find good balance of heat and electricity flow. Glass blowing around the burner of the bulb (known as the vacuum) created a more steady balance between these components. Although the  glass blowing technique improved light withstanding, it still was not as long-lasting as it could have been.

   Many, many inventors; most notably, Thomas Edison, (whose bright ideas failed many times in improving the light bulb before he ever succeeded!) worked on improving this continued problem. Over time, eventually vacuums of bulbs were altered and Japanese bamboo would serve as the main working part of the light bulb. It wrapped around the newly-altered vacuum and finally created the LASTING light that we so depend on.

Sources:
http://www.unmuseum.org/lightbulb.htm
http://invsee.asu.edu/Modules/lightbulb/meathist.htm