History of Light: Illuminate Your Home with a Beautiful Lamp

And then there was light. And there has been light indeed, for a long time, because since early history, human beings have searched for ways to illuminate their landscape, their paths, and their humble abodes. Life needs light and today, more than ever before, we depend on light and energy to fuel our everyday activities. The history of the lamp goes way back, but the lighting mechanism is much more than a practical addition to the home; it comes with its own aesthetic and stylistic components. 

According to some accounts, the preliminary lamps consisted of hollow rocks, shells, or natural objects that could be soaked with moss, filled with animal fat and ignited. Later on, wicks were added for control. It was around the 7th century BC, when the Greeks began experimenting with some new forms of torches and started making terracotta lamps. In fact, the word lamp is derived from the Greek word “lampas,” which means torch. 

And just like with everything, people continued to improve upon the old designs and experiment with new materials. Light created through an oil-fueled source was part of the next wave of experiments and was used widely throughout the world in religious ceremonies, for homes, and more. 

The Electric Lamp Shade

In the late 19th century, the invention of the electric lamp was in the works as the light bulb came to fruition. In 1801, Sir Humphrey Davy invented the first electric carbon arc lamp. He connected two wires to the battery and attaching a carbon strip to the other side making the carbon glow. The technology was then taken further. This priceless invention has a direct correlation to the invention of the light bulb itself, as it was in the laboratories of Thomas Edison, that the first commercial lamp emerged.  These lamps work by using a physical filament that allows the electricity to light. In 1879, the street lamp was invented by Charles F. Brush. 

Skipping ahead to 1927, a patent for the first fluorescent lamp was submitted followed not long after for a halogen lamp. In the 1970s, companies like General Electric continued to experiment and develop the halogen lamps and make them more convenient and functional. 

Today, a beautiful table lamp can add an impressive element to your living room or bedroom. If you’re looking for a way to illuminate your home with style, consider looking at an array of lamps and see how they can spice up your house. National Furniture Liquidators can help you find the perfect fit for your style.