Incandescent Light Bulb

"If I find 10,000 ways something won't work, I haven't failed. I am not discouraged, because every wrong attempt discarded is another step forward" believed Thomas Edison. Thomas Edison was a pioneer of history; he changed the world with his ingenious invention of the light bulb. Back in the days, people had to use candles, flashlights and even had bed times. Life without the light bulb was very difficult and certainly changed many people’s lives. The invention of the light bulb had major impact throughout history, affecting geographic, economic, and psychological aspects of people’s lives.
The light bulb for many decades has changed the physical world we live in. “At the time, most people in cities illuminated their homes and offices with lamps that burned gas delivered to the premises by local gas companies” (Tagliaferro 51). With the invention of the light bulb it lit up work places, schools, libraries, streets, and homes. It changed how we lived and gave us the opportunity to see in the dark. Electric lights became cheap, safe, and convenient to use instead of manufactured natural gas which was rather dangerous. One of inventor’s employees, Francis Upton commented about his boss, “His Greatness was always to be clearly seen when difficulties arose. They always made him cheerful, and started thinking” (Tagliaferro 52). Edison’s hard work and unshakable optimism inspired everyone in the lab and helped him create the light bulb. Without these repeated failures and faith, the light bulb would have never arisen and would have never given us an electrified world.

“The modern world is an electrified world. The light bulb profoundly changed human existence by illuminating the night and making it hospitable to a wide range of human activity” (Ament). The invention of the light bulb changed how we use our recourses to meet our wants and needs. It’s bright, fluorescent, glowing shine made it possible to work longer hours into the night. With the help of light, the hours go even beyond the hours people had worked before. It increased the luminescence in the workplace, making it easier for laborers to see potential workplace hazards. “Prior to the light bulb, electricity was mainly used in industrial centers. With the light bulb, many homes installed electric outlets; making it possible for electric radios, televisions and eventually video game systems to enter the home” (Kalinowski). Light bulbs had even enabled people to the ability of communication. The light bulb had a major societal impact. “Light is sweet, and it pleases the eyes to see the sun” --Ecclesiastes 11:7 NIV (Masters). Light can change the way we think, act, and feel. When your brain is a little “low on light” it can bring your mood down or just make you feel depressed and tired. Light acts as a natural mood enhancer. It makes our bodies feel more alert, productive, and creative. Light also has changed the way we learn. For example, the projector now uses light to transform a small image into a larger image because the image which is projected will be the same size as the pool of light created by the light source behind the transparent image. Light is an element of design which should be used not only for visual comfort, but also to attain emotional responses from the lighted environment.

The invention of the light bulb had major impact throughout history, affecting geographic, economic, and psychological aspects of people’s lives. “The electric light bulb was Edison’s greatest invention and was known as his bright idea” (Sullivan 75). “I find out what I the world needs. Then I go ahead and try to invent it,” Edison explained. Thomas Edison was, after all, the wizard of electricity. As the inventor of the Age of Electricity, his inventions had changed the face of the world and had brought the world out of its darkness.