An old engraving of an early example of an electric light It is from a Victorian book of the 1880s. English chemist Humphry Davy developed the first incandescent light in 1802, followed by the first practical electric arc light in 1806. Two pieces of pure carbon have electricity from a powerful battery passed through them. An arc is created and the carbon burns – as well as creating heat, light is also emitted. This example by London instrument-maker John Browning has a magnetic device to maintain a constant distance for the arc and a mirror and small shade to direct the light.
An old engraving of an early example of an electric light It is from a Victorian mechanical engineering book of the 1880s. English chemist Humphry Davy developed the first incandescent light in 1802, followed by the first practical electric arc light in 1806. Two pieces of pure carbon have electricity from a powerful battery passed through them. By adjusting the gap between the carbon pieces, a point is found where an arc is created and the carbon burns – as well as creating intense heat, light is also emitted. This example made by London instrument-maker John Browning has a magnetic device to maintain a constant distance for the arc and also has a mirror and small shade to direct the light. By the 1870s, the arc lamp was used to light many public spaces. Efforts by Swan and Edison led to commercial incandescent light bulbs becoming widely available in the 1880s.
Size: 2174px × 3780px
Location: London, England, UK
Photo credit: © M&N / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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