It is difficult to imagine modern life without electrification and, in particular, without an electric lamp. Many are sure that the inventor of the light bulb is Thomas Edison, but in fact, the history of the creation of this device is quite long and not as simple as it seems. A large number of scientists worked on an invention, without which it is now impossible to imagine life.
Content
- History of invention
-
Stages of development
- Gerard Delarue and Heinrich Goebel
- Russian scientist Alexander Lodynin
- Inventor Pavel Yablochkov
- American Thomas Edison
History of invention
People have been lighting their homes since they learned how to make fire. With the development of mankind, a variety of substances were used as sources of artificial lighting:
- vegetable oils;
- animal fat;
- oil;
- torch;
- natural gas.
The very first method of lighting was invented by the ancient Egyptians, who used special vessels where they poured oil and lowered cotton wicks. Since people began to extract oil, the era of kerosene lamps has come, replacing torches and candles. The last stage of development in this area was the invention of electric lamps.
Stages of development
The question of who invented the incandescent lamp is difficult to answer unequivocally, since a large number of scientists participated in the creation of this necessary device. At different times and at different stages, their knowledge, works and skills have been applied by many scientists:
-
Pavel Yablochkov; - Gerard Delarue;
- Thomas Edison;
- David Coolidge;
- Alexander Lodynin;
- Heinrich Goebel.
Gerard Delarue and Heinrich Goebel
The French scientist first tried to create an analogue of the modern light bulb back in 1820. As a filament, platinum wire was used, which can perfectly heat up and shine brightly.
The "great-grandmother" of modern lamps has always remained a prototype, and the inventor never returned to it.
German researcher Heinrich Goebel presented his own invention in 1854. The light bulb was based on bamboo and a vessel with evacuated air. A bamboo thread was placed in the vessel to serve as an incandescent lamp.
It was Gebel who is considered the first person who invented the light bulb.used for lighting. For the first time, the scientist was able to guess that the vacuum space would allow an incandescent lamp to burn longer. Thanks to the use of vacuum, the operating time of the device was extended by several hours. It took the scientist years to create a completely airless space.
Russian scientist Alexander Lodynin
Despite previous experiences, the first inventor of the light bulb is considered to be the Russian scientist Alexander Lodynin. It was he who realized the dream of mankind about a constant source of illumination. The Russian engineer first presented his invention in 1872, and a year later the first lamps of Lodynin were lit on the streets of St. Petersburg.
This light source could work for up to half an hour, and for that time it was progress. If the air was pumped out, the lamp continued to work. That is, it was the first continuous light source.
Lodynin was awarded a patent for a lamp with carbon filament. Subsequently, the scientist conducted experiments on the use of various refractory materials for the rod. He was the first to suggest using tungsten for these purposes, as well as pumping air out of a light bulb, filling it with an inert gas.
Inventor Pavel Yablochkov
Another Russian inventor, Pavel Yablochkov, managed to extend the operation of electric lamps up to an hour and a half. Pavel Nikolaevich, who devoted his entire life to electrical engineering, managed to create not only the first light bulb, but also became the "father" of the electric candle. Thanks to this, it became possible to illuminate cities at night.
Yablochkov's electrical invention had a low cost and could illuminate the space for an hour and a half. After combustion, the lamp was replaced with a new one. This responsibility lay with the wipers. Later, lanterns with automatic candle replacement appeared.
It was Yablochkov's invention that paved the way for the massive introduction of electricity for street lighting.
The novelty of Yablochkov's invention was that in his lamps there was a kaolin filament, which did not require a vacuum for prolonged combustion. At the same time, the device of a Russian electrical engineer required preliminary heating of the conductor, for example, with a match.
American Thomas Edison
When they talk about the inventor who created the incandescent lamp, they always mention Thomas Edison. But few people know that the American just improved the device invented before him, filed a patent for it in time and launched mass production. Therefore, Edison is more a businessman than a scientist, and the first to invent the light bulb was the Russian Alexander Lodynin.
In America, Lodynin's invention became known thanks to the naval officer Khotinsky. After visiting Edison's laboratory, he handed him the inventions of Lodynin and Yablochkin.
The American modified the novelty by using beech thread instead of a coal rod. To come up with how to improve lamp performance, he had to make about 6,000 attempts, but the goal was achieved - his light bulb could burn for almost a hundred hours. Edison patented the invention as his own, which caused a protest from Yablochkov.
The American scientist also made his own contribution to the device, which became necessary for all mankind. He created a lamp base and socket, as well as a rotary switch, without which an electric candle would not work.
From the history of creation it is clear that many leading scientists of that time were involved in the invention of the light bulb. Whoever was the discoverer, without this amazing invention, the world would be completely different.
