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- National Carbon Company Philadelphia Arc Light Carbon, 1886-1900 - Carbon plates, like these, were used in arc lamps, the first widely used form of electric light in the late 1800s. The lamp's brilliant light, created by an electric arc between precisely spaced plates, effectively illuminated city streets, factories, and other large areas--though falling sparks could prove hazardous. Eventually, improvements in other types of arc discharge lamps made carbon plates virtually obsolete.
- 1886-1900
- Collections - Artifact
National Carbon Company Philadelphia Arc Light Carbon, 1886-1900
Carbon plates, like these, were used in arc lamps, the first widely used form of electric light in the late 1800s. The lamp's brilliant light, created by an electric arc between precisely spaced plates, effectively illuminated city streets, factories, and other large areas--though falling sparks could prove hazardous. Eventually, improvements in other types of arc discharge lamps made carbon plates virtually obsolete.
- National Carbon Company Philadelphia Arc Light Carbon, 1886-1900 - Carbon plates, like these, were used in arc lamps, the first widely used form of electric light in the late 1800s. The lamp's brilliant light, created by an electric arc between precisely spaced plates, effectively illuminated city streets, factories, and other large areas--though falling sparks could prove hazardous. Eventually, improvements in other types of arc discharge lamps made carbon plates virtually obsolete.
- 1886-1900
- Collections - Artifact
National Carbon Company Philadelphia Arc Light Carbon, 1886-1900
Carbon plates, like these, were used in arc lamps, the first widely used form of electric light in the late 1800s. The lamp's brilliant light, created by an electric arc between precisely spaced plates, effectively illuminated city streets, factories, and other large areas--though falling sparks could prove hazardous. Eventually, improvements in other types of arc discharge lamps made carbon plates virtually obsolete.
- Cutout -
- 1887
- Collections - Artifact
Cutout
- Fuller Electrical Company Dynamo, circa 1889 -
- circa 1889
- Collections - Artifact
Fuller Electrical Company Dynamo, circa 1889
- Beck's Regulator Vacuum Tube -
- Collections - Artifact
Beck's Regulator Vacuum Tube
- Exhibit of Early Electrical Lighting at Columbia University, circa 1929 -
- circa 1929
- Collections - Artifact
Exhibit of Early Electrical Lighting at Columbia University, circa 1929
- Arc Lamp - Arc lamps were the first widely used form of electric light. An electric arc created between precisely spaced carbon rods produced a brilliant light that effectively illuminated city streets, factories, and other large open areas. Carbon arc lamps were phased out as a general lighting source during the early 20th century and replaced by incandescent, fluorescent, and gas discharge lamps.
- Collections - Artifact
Arc Lamp
Arc lamps were the first widely used form of electric light. An electric arc created between precisely spaced carbon rods produced a brilliant light that effectively illuminated city streets, factories, and other large open areas. Carbon arc lamps were phased out as a general lighting source during the early 20th century and replaced by incandescent, fluorescent, and gas discharge lamps.
- Wood's System Dynamo and Arc Lamp Testing Department at the Fort Wayne Electrical Corporation, circa 1894 - Established in 1881, the Fort Wayne Electric Corporation manufactured arc lamps, dynamos, and other lighting and electrical equipment. By 1894, the company had survived financial difficulties, a corporate reorganization, and a recent name change. Aided by well-respected electricians, engineers, and inventors, the Indiana company expanded and increased its production efforts. This photograph shows the arc dynamo and lamp testing department.
- circa 1894
- Collections - Artifact
Wood's System Dynamo and Arc Lamp Testing Department at the Fort Wayne Electrical Corporation, circa 1894
Established in 1881, the Fort Wayne Electric Corporation manufactured arc lamps, dynamos, and other lighting and electrical equipment. By 1894, the company had survived financial difficulties, a corporate reorganization, and a recent name change. Aided by well-respected electricians, engineers, and inventors, the Indiana company expanded and increased its production efforts. This photograph shows the arc dynamo and lamp testing department.
- Arc Lamp Hanger -
- Collections - Artifact
Arc Lamp Hanger
- Adams-Bagnall Company Regenerative Flame Arc Lamp Carbon Rod, circa 1911 - Carbon rods, like these, were used in arc lamps, the first widely used form of electric light in the late 1800s. The lamp's brilliant light, created by an electric arc between precisely spaced rods, effectively illuminated city streets, factories, and other large areas--though falling sparks could prove hazardous. Eventually, improvements in other types of arc discharge lamps made carbon rods virtually obsolete.
- circa 1911
- Collections - Artifact
Adams-Bagnall Company Regenerative Flame Arc Lamp Carbon Rod, circa 1911
Carbon rods, like these, were used in arc lamps, the first widely used form of electric light in the late 1800s. The lamp's brilliant light, created by an electric arc between precisely spaced rods, effectively illuminated city streets, factories, and other large areas--though falling sparks could prove hazardous. Eventually, improvements in other types of arc discharge lamps made carbon rods virtually obsolete.