Led: Saving Time, Money and Energy

LED: Saving time, Money and Energy

Since Thomas Edison’s patent for the original light bulb, nearly the whole world has access to electricity. However, Edison’s design is no longer the most popular. The fastest growing and developing form of lighting now is LED or light-emitting diode. These bulbs last longer and use less energy overall.

The LED bulb was invented in 1962 by Nick Holonyak, Jr. Nick was working as a scientist at General Electric (GE) at the time. Holonyak says the invention came about by sheer accident. He and several other GE scientists were given the task of creating something brand new. He was actually trying to create a laser. A colleague beat him to that invention but he was successful with the LED bulb. The first LED bulb was made with red diode and later they made blue, green and yellow. To this day, the colored options of LED bulbs are still extremely popular. To make the light appear white, GE simply coated the diodes with a phosphor. General Electric was selling the bulbs for $260 a piece at early invention. The LED bulbs were being put into traffic lights, flashlights and televisions. To evolve the LED bulb into being more commercial and practical for general consumer use, researchers had to make it more efficient. At the time of invention, the LED bulb was no more efficient than an incandescent. In the early 2000s, the Energy Department and private sector industries partnered together to try making the bulb more efficient. In 2008, a competition was held to promote the research. Phillips Lighting entered the competition with a 60-watt bulb. Most LED bulbs on the market at the time were 25-40 watt. After three years of tests, Phillips won the competition. Phillips is still one of the largest electronic brands and highest profiting companies.

Other companies quickly copied the design and worked to improve it. This increase in players in the market and added competition led to the price for LED bulbs falling drastically. Engergy.gov says the price has fallen more than 85%. It is not uncommon now to find LED bulbs for less than ten dollars at any store that sells incandescent bulbs. When interviewed by “The Atlantic”, Holonyak said he had a feeling the bulbs would make a huge impact but he didn’t think it would take 50 years. He also attributes their success to the scientists and engineers who have made them accessible to the average consumer.

The modern LED bulb lasts longer than the original incandescent bulb meaning less time spent changing out light bulbs. The bulbs also use less energy saving on power bills meaning that the higher cost at purchase is made up in the long term. The incandescent also puts off a lot more heat than the LED. Almost all industrial flashlights, emergency vehicle lights, and traffic signals have been converted to LED due to the longer lasting reliability. They are also popular in Christmas lights and storefront signs.

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