Edison's lamp

Today, artificial lighting is in every home. Light bulbs are not a luxury, but a necessity. In addition to its direct function - to illuminate the room, they have already become for us an interior item, with which you can emphasize one or another style. With the help of lamps you can create whole light compositions, make multi-level illumination, create light figures.

Edison lamps are now experiencing a rebirth, once again becoming popular. They became fashionable, having undergone tremendous changes in their design, shape, color and power of lighting. The best designers prefer them for interior decoration under the old, in the style of "loft". Vintage lamps look very unusual, original, attract the eyes. The variety and wide choice of retro-lamps can satisfy any, even the most capricious taste. But let's not forget that once the best scientists and inventors of the whole world did not exist at all, and they tried to figure out how to create an artificial light source.

It is believed that he invented the first light bulb, powered by electricity, Thomas Alva Edison. His device worked thanks to a thread of coal inside. But this light bulb appeared somewhat later than its first prototypes.

Before Edison, many inventors tried to create a source of artificial light. It is not known exactly who invented it. Light bulbs, different in their size and shape, working thanks to bamboo, coal and platinum threads were created. Most of these lamps have been recognized officially and patented.

Among all these scientists, only Edison was famous. Although his light bulb did not become the first, it was the most affordable, simple and cheap to use. Before the advent of the Edison bulb, many experiments were carried out. For many years, the inventors tried to improve this mechanism: they created lamps based on various materials that conducted the current, changed the principles of the mechanism. But it did not bring significant results.

The first light bulbs were invented a long time ago, but the problem of a short glow was still relevant. In 1878, Edison wondered how to solve this question.He spent a lot of experiments trying different materials as a filament. After about six thousand experiments, he invents a light bulb, which works forty hours on the charcoal of bamboo. Soon Edison light bulbs are becoming popular around the world, moving all other devices to second place.

When Edison was engaged in the invention of his incandescent lamp, he paid great attention not only to the principle of its work, but also to the design of the entire device. He invented the screw base, cartridge, fuse, meter, switch and electric generator. Most of this is used today around the world.

To make artificial light accessible to everyone, Edison began selling his light bulbs very cheaply for $ 1. He dreamed that, at the level of his invention, even wax candles would become expensive. Production was soon automated, which reduced the price for them even more - to 22 cents. Edison's bulbs have become available to everyone without exception.

In 1910, all work on the improvement of the lamps were completed. They were used by people all over the world. However, to unequivocally recognize some of the inventors first in the creation of the lamp and failed. Above the invention of the incandescent lamp mechanism and its improvement worked many scientists from around the world. And only their joint efforts have led to the fact that at present all apartments, houses and streets have electric lighting.

Edison's lamp works on the basis of a tungsten filament inside it. These threads can take different forms. The lamps have a standard E27 base, but some manufacturers produce the B22 and B14. These devices have low light returns. Only 5% of the energy consumed by the lamp is spent on lighting, the rest of the electricity goes to heat.

Currently very popular lamps, designed for the old, but working on modern LED-technology - diode light bulbs. They work not on the basis of a filament, but on a thin light-emitting diode, which allows saving up to 10 times on electricity consumption. Such lamps are used for decorating retro-style rooms.Having studied all the pros and cons, each consumer will be able to choose the lamps for their individual needs.

Edison lamps in retro style are designed for use in any premises for the most common, standard networks. Their color temperature is very warm - about 2200 K (for standard incandescent bulbs it is 2700-2850 K) These lamps do not shine very brightly, so they are used most often as decorative ones. They create a very cozy atmosphere of bygone days.

In order to ensure sufficient lighting for the room, usually several of these bulbs are used. This new design technique has received great popularity and is increasingly used in the design of retro interiors. Often it is used for decoration of hotels, restaurants, cafes and shops.

Edison LED bulbs have a distinctive characteristic - their color transfer index is rather high - 95 CRI, while the color rendition of the other LED lamps is 80 CRI. This suggests that the use of such lamps does not distort the colors of the objects around us.

It should be borne in mind that the vintage Edison lamps, working from the filament, and not from the LED, are short-lived and costly in the consumption of electricity. They can serve no more than 2500 hours.Edison LED bulbs - 15,000 hours. In addition, they consume much less electricity, so in terms of benefits are the best option. If we compare them with conventional LED lamps, whose service life is 50,000 hours, they lose against this background. This difference in service life is due to the fact that the LED inside the Edison lamps has a filament shape, very thin and fragile. This design is prone to overheating.

Edison lamps have several advantages:

• They do not contain a harmful substance - mercury, unlike energy-saving lamps;
• The color rendition at a very high level, the colors of the surrounding objects are not distorted;
• To use Edison lamps, no transformers are needed, unlike LED lamps;
• The filament can be made in the form of fancy shapes, which helps to create an original atmosphere and unique room lighting;

• To connect the Edison lamp, you will need standard fittings and a cartridge;
• The lamp can be made in various shapes and sizes;
• Retro-lamps create an exclusive interior, allowing you to get away from the accepted stereotypes in the issue of room lighting;
• The power of the glow can be regulated by a dimmer, which allows you to create a unique intimate atmosphere.

Edison lamps are very popular and in demand however, they have several disadvantages:

• Such lamps will not last long - no more than 3500 hours;
• The surface of the lamp is very hot, which makes it very fragile;
• Currently, vintage lamps are a fairly expensive acquisition;
• Retro lamps have high power consumption.

Edison lamps have characteristics inherent to all lamps of this type:

• In order for such a light bulb to work, the required network power is 220 volts;
• The color temperature is 2700 K, which defines light as warm (yellow or white);
• Such lamps are different in power consumption of electricity (25-100 W).

Among the countries producing retro-light bulbs, Switzerland (Richi Light AG), Holland (Calex) and China (Uniel) can be distinguished. The quality of the latter is in no way inferior to competitors, and prices are significantly lower.

Today, more and more people prefer retro style in the design of the premises. It can be an ordinary apartment, and a public place - a restaurant, cafe, hotel or shop. For interior design in this style, you need to take care of lighting, which would harmoniously fit into the overall concept of style. Edison lamps are the best fit for this task, which are now experiencing a new wave of popularity.

Thanks to the different forms of the tungsten filament and the light bulbs themselves, designers can experiment with lighting to create new compositions. Edison bulbs can be installed in chandeliers, lampshades or used as separate lamps, perfectly suited to industrial or loft-style. However, in order to add this retro lamp to the interior design, it is not at all necessary to be a professional designer. It's easy to do it yourself.

To connect an Edison bulb, you will need:

1. Lamp itself;
2. Cord or stylized wire;
3. Cartridge and other accessories.

Vintage light bulbs are a wide range. They can vary in size, shape and shape, which takes a tungsten filament inside them.Retro lamps give the room a warm, soft, yellow light. To connect them you just need to connect electricity with a voltage of 220 volts. Such lamps do not need to be connected to transformers, unlike, for example, from LED lamps.

Edison bulbs are very different in power, which is brewed in the range of 8-90 watts. Smaller power is used to illuminate a small space, for example, above the table, combining them with the use of general room lighting. Such lamps do not blind the eyes. They can well see the bizarre shape of the thread that fascinates and attracts the eyes. This glow is like a sunset or a candle flame, which helps to relax and tune in to rest.

If the premise is supposed to be done antique, you can turn to the layout of the wiring, as in Soviet apartments. Several decades ago, the wires were never cleaned into the wall, they were always in sight.Often there was not one wire running along the wall, but several, woven together. Sometimes a special textile braid was used for decoration. Fans of retro-style can easily find such a sheath in modern stores, where it is represented by a wide range of textures and colors.

The third part for connecting Edison bulbs - cartridge. Now there are many ammo of the most different designs. Most often it is an attribute of vintage style, which is made of aged metal of various colors.

To complete the design of the retro-style today, you can easily pick up vintage sockets, switches and other components of electricians for every taste. To assemble the entire electrical circuit, it is better to turn to the master, who can easily connect and connect all the links.

Edison lamps can vary the size of the base and are E27, B22 and E14. Their shape can be very diverse: the classic, familiar shape of pears, round large flasks with a diameter of up to 25 cm, and long tubes up to 28 cm. The shape can expand and taper towards the end, being oval.In addition, there are special forms: square, trapezoidal and even pentagonal in the shape of a diamond. The most popular are the lamps in the form of cylinders. This choice is an excellent gift for people with a good design taste, enjoying the selection of accessories for the interior.

Lamps may differ in the form of tungsten filaments inside, which are:

• Hairpin-shaped;
• Leaf-shaped;
• Spiral;
• Herringbone;
• In the form of white cage;
• In the form of a loop.

Edison lamps can have more than one tungsten filament in their design. Several threads intertwined - a design solution that attracts attention and makes the lamp very original. Their number does not affect the power of the glow, but may affect the price of the light bulb.

At present, silver-plated or gold-plated glass bulbs have come into fashion, but the usual amber ones are also popular. Such lamps can be used not only in rooms in retro style, but also in classical variants of the interior.

Like all appliances powered by electricity, Edison bulbs require certain rules when used and connected.

• When connecting you need to use only cartridges that have a certificate of conformity GOST;
• It is impossible to turn out heated lamps, it is necessary to wait for their full cooling;
• Do not just turn on and off the light when working with Edison bulbs. Current drops due to the use of a switch wear out the lamps and affect their service life;
• If the lamp is used in a portable device, it can only be moved from place to place when it is turned off. Any oscillation at the time of operation may result in damage to the mechanism.

A few decades ago, an ordinary lamp hanging from the ceiling was a sign of poverty at home or repair. Now such a choice of the lamp highlights the good taste of the owner, since such lighting looks very stylish. Such lamps can be found in luxury apartments or country cottages, decorated in retro style or "loft".

If indoor sconces are intended on the wall, they can be replaced with candles in the form of candles.Candles with a yellow glow will look especially impressive.

To illuminate small areas, for example, near a bed or a chair, where it is convenient to do handicrafts or read books, lamps can hang from the ceiling (most often in a single amount). For such purposes, it is better to choose a round device in shape. Wires can be decorated with multi-colored cords or coarse thick ropes. This will give complete interior decoration.

For lighting a large room as a common source of light instead of a chandelier it is better to use several bulbs at the same time. They can hang chaotically from the ceiling or be bundled. The more light bulbs used, the less powerful they can be.

Retro lamps can serve not only the direct purpose - to illuminate a room, but also to be an element of decorating a room for a holiday: a wedding or a New Year. In this case, they can be hung in the form of a decorative garland of lamps. Their warm glow will certainly give an atmosphere of magic, celebration and comfort. Thus, you can decorate any room, both inside and outside, by hanging a garland in the garden on the facade of the building.The arbor decorated with garlands of incandescent bulbs will look particularly impressive and romantic.

Lamps can be used not only independently, but also be installed in lamps and lampshades. Retro lamps themselves look very beautiful, are an independent subject of decor. If it is intended to hang a lamp, it is better to choose it so that it does not distract attention from the fanciful forms of the lamp or the filament.

Retro lamps create a unique atmosphere in the room. Their diversity allows you to create a unique, creative interior. Such lamps will never remain without attention and admiration. They again and again come into fashion, each time undergoing changes and finding new forms and sizes. The main thing - do not be afraid to experiment and try bold solutions.

How to make a retro chandelier with your own hands, you can find out by watching the video below.