The Invention of LED Lights: A Deep Dive into its Evolution
The history of LED lights stretches back over a century and has evolved into the energy-efficient bulbs that are found in most homes today.
LED technology has transformed the lighting industry, providing a greener alternative to traditional halogen bulbs.
Join us as we embark on a journey to uncover the origin of LED lighting, delving into the brilliant minds and groundbreaking innovations that have paved the way for the bulbs we use today.
The Origins and Early Innovators
LED technology stands for light-emitting diode. The discovery of this technology happened in the early 20th century.
In 1907, Captain Henry Joseph Round, a British engineer working for Marconi Labs, discovered a phenomenon known as electroluminescence. He observed that when a voltage was applied to a silicon carbide crystal, it emitted a dim, yellowish light.
This influenced future research, such as the work of Oleg Losev in 1927. This Russian scientist published research on the light-emitting properties of semiconductors, laying the groundwork for LED technology.
Then, several decades later, in 1962, Nick Holonyak Jr., an American scientist working at General Electric, developed the first visible-spectrum LED. This demonstrated the practical use of LEDs, leading them to be commercialised.
The Evolution of LED Through the Decades
LED technology began to rapidly evolve in the 1960s, leading to the LED lighting solutions that we sell today.
The timeline for this evolution is as follows:
1960s: Commercialisation Begins
In the 1960s, Holonyak’s invention of the red LED began to be used in electronic appliances like calculators and watches, primarily as indicator lights.
This influenced a broader application of LEDs in digital displays.
1970s: Expansion into Different Colours
In the 1970s, M. George Craford, a former student of Holonyak, developed yellow LEDs.
This improved the efficiency and brightness of existing red and orange LEDs, marking the beginning of more practical applications.
LED technology then became prevalent in clocks and calculators due to its low energy consumption and lifespan.
1980s: Technological Improvements
The development of green LEDs and improvements to the previous red and yellow LEDs were conducted in the 1980s.
This allowed them to be used across wider applications, such as more sophisticated electronics and telecommunications equipment.
From this, the manufacturing process also improved, reducing the cost of LEDs and enhancing their appeal.
1990s: Breakthrough in Blue LEDs
Shuji Nakamura's successful invention of the blue LED marked a significant advance in the 1990s.
This resulted in the development of white LEDs by combining blue light with red and green.
White LEDs opened up new markets for LEDs in general lighting and automotive headlights. This significantly impacted energy consumption patterns worldwide.
2000s and Beyond: Mainstream Adoption and Innovations
LED technology rapidly improved and expanded in the early 2000s.
Improvements in material science and optical design allowed LEDs to become brighter, more energy-efficient, and capable of emitting light across the visible spectrum with high colour accuracy.
LED technology is now widely used across commercial and residential settings.
The Impact of LED Technology
LED technology has generated a myriad of benefits for the modern world.
The efficiency of LEDs reduces the demand on power plants and decreases greenhouse gas emissions, as they use up to 80% less energy than traditional bulbs.
It has also introduced a range of health and safety benefits as they don’t contain toxic materials such as mercury, which pose risks during disposal. They also emit little UV radiation, reducing the likelihood of burns and fires.
Choose Light Supplier for your LED Solutions
At Light Supplier, we offer a wide range of LED lighting solutions for every application.
From home lighting solutions to commercial fixtures, our LED lighting is affordable, energy-efficient, and reliable.
Browse our LED lighting today to transform your daily routine.