They also have a shorter lifespan than LED bulbs and tend to take some time to reach peak brightness. Incandescent bulbs have been around for a long time, and while they’re inexpensive, they aren’t very energy efficient. LEDĮdison light bulbs are available as both traditional incandescent bulbs and LED bulbs. Most Edison light bulbs are quite fragile, so it’s important to handle them with care and position them so they won’t be disturbed or bumped. Edison light bulbs are most often used in hanging fixtures like pendant lighting in kitchens or bathrooms, often in rooms with farmhouse or rustic décor. Since their appeal lies in their look, the unique nature of Edison light bulbs is wasted when they sit under a shade or cover, which also means they emit light in every direction. UsesĮdison light bulbs are used in fixtures or sockets that don’t hide the bulbs. Even the phrase “Edison light bulb” is more a marketing term than anything else because new shapes and styles have been developed since Edison’s original creation. Edison light bulbs offer a retro, vintage, or rustic look, and those who buy these light bulbs are looking for the aesthetic as much as the function. Today, consumers buy Edison light bulbs because they want to see the filament, unlike modern LED bulbs with opaque glass. The first Edison light bulb was transparent, so the filament was visible. The original Edison light bulb was an incandescent light source that converted electricity to visible light by way of a filament of carbonized bamboo.
Key considerations What is an Edison light bulb? Both men sold patents to Edison later when their work did not meet commercial success. Through the 1800s, many inventors experimented with lighting, including English physicist Joseph Wilson Swan and Canadian inventor Henry Woodward. In order to find the best Edison light bulb for you, there are a few important details worth knowing, and we’ve compiled them in this buying guide along with some of our favorites. There is plenty of jargon about light bulbs that can make shopping for them confusing. Edison light bulbs are varied in terms of appearance and power and are used in many different types of fixtures. Indeed, the Edison light bulb is sought after because it’s an attractive bulb that many enjoy for its aesthetics as well as function. Today’s Edison light bulbs are demonstrably different from Edison’s original, but they aim to recreate the original using completely different technology.
And the Edison light bulb endures today in a somewhat different form. While Edison wasn’t the first with the innovation, he triumphed commercially, cementing himself as the light bulb’s creator in the annals of history. History was made in 1880 when inventor Thomas Alva Edison, building off the work of others before him, submitted a patent for an incandescent light bulb.