Intro:
Near the end of the 19th century, Thomas Edison invented a new and revolutionary lighting source, requiring no burning of whale oils or gas which would also shed light on their needs with even greater intensity. Only a few could have envisioned the future global use of the incandescent light bulb. This new light source would eventually become the most widely used light source on earth.
As history would have it, so now is the time to make way for the new. The LED has been making its way to the forefront since its inception a little over 35 years ago. Because of its unique qualities, the LED has gained great appeal, especially in recent years. The main qualities attributed to the LED is low power consumption. Long life is a very close second, but it is also considered extremely reliable. One reason is its ability to perform under high vibrational stress and high impact forces. As a matter of fact, some manufacturers have placed specifications on G forces applied on their devices greater than 1,000 without any decrease in light output. G forces applied to an incandescent or fluorescent lamp would shatter either of these at approximately 50 times less force.
Extremely Low Power Consumption
LEDs have arrived on the scene just when our world is in extreme need to lower our global electrical power consumption. Along with the world's efforts in promoting the greater use of renewable energy, it is hoped that this will relieve the stress on energy consumption along with the reduced use of our constantly dwindling "fossil fuels." Though the recently introduced "CFL"( compact fluorescent light) possesses very high efficiency for possible replacement of the more power hungry incandescent light bulb, the LED is even more efficient. Some of the more recent energy requirements for the incandescent lamps were given as 17 lumens of light output per watt of power consumed. The most efficient LED lamp to date by comparison gave out over 100 lumens per watt consumed, or almost 6 times more efficient. Some of the very latest for these new Solid State Lamps have recorded as much as 150 lumens/watt, but these are still in laboratory testing and should be available for commercial use in the not too distant future.
Some Totally Unique Qualities
Undoubtedly, the most unique quality of the LED is its ability to change its color at a very high speed under program control. This alone changes the whole marketing range of its capabilities. Because of this and some specific LED design approach that could enable these lamps to be mounted in home wall panels, the homeowner of the future could change the room lighting according to the mood requirements. Even now, some of these techniques have been put into practical use on a small scale with great results. The future offers almost endless practical application designs. Because of the LEDs unique range of applications, they will surely help shape our world of lighting and help reduce energy consumption, as they help reduce pollution in our atmosphere for a long time to come.
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