An incandescent light bulb, incandescent lamp or incandescent light globe is an electric light with a wire filament heated until it glows. The filament is enclosed in a bulb to protect the filament from oxidation. Current is supplied to the filament by terminals or wires embedded in the glass. A bulb socket provides mechanical support and electrical connections.
source/image: NightHawkInLight
Here we explore the making of the first light bulbs invented by Thomas Edison and Joseph Swan. I’ve transcribed Edison’s first electric lamp patent into a single image, as the archived scans available on government websites are almost too low quality to read.You can view the image here.
This lightbulb is made entirely out of simple, mostly household materials requiring very little in special equipment. The basic construction includes a glass jar filled with CO2 and a graphite filament.
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This makes it a carbon filament bulb analogous to those made by Edison before tungsten became the norm.Disclaimer: Don’t try this experiment at home, this lightbulb is done in a controlled environment by a professional.
