Incandescents, old school may win the efficiency war.

[Channel Hopper]

Usually traditional light bulbs are only about five per cent efficient, with 95 per cent of the energy being lost to the atmosphere. In comparison LED or florescent bulbs manage around 14 per cent efficiency. But the scientists believe that the new bulb could reach efficiency levels of 40 per cent.

And it shows colours far more naturally than modern energy-efficient bulbs. Traditional incandescent bulbs have a ‘colour rendering index’ rating of 100, because they match the hue of objects seen in natural daylight. However even ‘warm’ finish LED or florescent bulbs can only manage an index rating of 80 and most are far less.


Return of incandescent light bulbs as MIT makes them more efficient than LEDs

 

[Topper]

Shine a light, don't hold your breath we could all be in boxes before the technology is perfected and factories go into production of what will no doubt be a very expensive item (I'm a pint half empty man, is it bright enough to see that?)

 

[PaulR]

And yet again an American sourced story fails to mention that Sir Joseph Swan actually invented the incandescent lightbulb.

How depressing. How predictable.

 

[2cvbloke]

And yet again an American sourced story fails to mention that Sir Joseph Swan actually invented the incandescent lightbulb.

How depressing. How predictable.

A few inventors, including Joseph Swan, created "light bulbs" with various materials for the filaments, but it was edison who created the first practical filament bulb, and Edison & Swan ended up joining forces to form a business what was later called Ediswan...

The UnMuseum - Who Invented the Lightbulb?

 

[PaulR]

Edison may have gained a patent for a method of producing the filament but it was Joseph Swan who produced them in the UK - admittedly not very long lasting ones because of the filament problem. When Edison tried to sell in the UK he was forced to set up a joint company with Swan - Ediswan - as Swan was there first.

 

[PaulR]

Have just read the link. What a partial account of the situation. "Meanwhile in the UK Swan.." Pish and tosh.

 

[2cvbloke]

Have just read the link. What a partial account of the situation. "Meanwhile in the UK Swan.." Pish and tosh.

Well in that case, here's a British made in Britain for Channel 4 in Britishland take on the subject...

 

[PaulR]

Well, if you're going to exaggerate...

 

[Terryl]

Actually "Okkalley" invented the light bulb back in -51500 BCE, but since no one invented the light bulb socket, nor something to run it with, it all fell by the way side.

Would have been nice e to have a smell free light source in the cave, burning Mammoth fat in a old skull was a bit stinky......And hard to read the stone slabs by at night.

 

[2cvbloke]

but since no one invented the light bulb socket

I'm sure there's many a hospital nurse who'd disagree about there not being a "socket" for bulbs to be inserted into...