It was believed that one of the very first things that appeared when the universe was born was light. And since then, all forms of life needed to exist with the help of light, may it be microorganisms, plants, animals, and humans. In terms of human civilization, light became a vital aspect to its development. Take a short trip down history and find out how the beginnings and the evolution of an essential light source: the lamp.
During the Ice Age, early humans have already begun to use primitive forms of lamps, in order to illuminate their surroundings even at night. This was especially helpful because they dwelt in caves. Stone paintings on caves provided evidence that human ancestors developed a form of artificial lighting. It was estimated that between 40,000 to 70,000 BC, lamps were actually hollow stones, filled with dried moss and fueled with animal fat. Among the very first discovered stone lamps were unearthed in the early 1900’s in caves in France.
Later on, the stone type of lamps evolved to be made of clay, much like the oil lamps used in the Middle Bronze Age, around 3,000 to 600 BC. It was also nearing 3rd century BC that the Romans and Greeks developed better methods of creating molds for their lamps. In fact, the word “lamp” used today was from the Greek word for torch, which was “lampas.” The clay lamps back then were closed, with special holes or nozzles, to avoid the spilling of the oil, usually olive oil. From Persian to Byzantine artifacts, more sophisticated clay lamps were found, carrying intricate designs.
It was during the 9th century in Baghdad when the kerosene lamp was thought to have been first used. Lamps in the South Asian and Middle Eastern societies were very important as part of religious rituals as well. It was much later, during the 18th century, when wick lamps were developed. In this type of lamp, a central chamber is placed on top of a fuel source, and the intensity of light could be controlled by turning a knob. A glass chimney was built around the flame to protect it from dying down, and this design was credited to Swiss inventor Ami Argand
Eventually, beyond the use of oils, other sources of lighting fuel were discovered, such as gas from coal and from the refining petroleum. It was in the 1780’s when coal became one of the preferred sources for lamp fuel. Gas lighting systems were soon improved and used to power streets, buildings, and homes in Europe and America. At the turn of the 19th century, people were adapting to better energy sources, as the discovery of electricity changed the world.
It was in 1801 when Sir Humphrey Davy invented the first electrical lamp in England. This lamp had wire wicks which were ignited to produce light. Soon, Thomas Edison and a certain British inventor named Sir Joseph Swann were credited for coming up with the first incandescent light bulbs, paving the way for modern light fixtures and lamps used in many forms today.
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