A Brief History of LED Lighting

In this modern world, it can be easy to take for granted just how much work and research went into developing the things we use every day.

LEDs are a great example.

Development of LED Technology

After the invention of incandescent lights Thomas Edison invented the light bulb in 1879, incandescent lights lit much of the 20th century.

The problem is they waste a lot of energy, lost in the form of heat, and they don’t

last long.

Fluorescent lights started being used in the 1930s. Although much more efficient than incandescent, they’re not an ideal replacement. They contain toxic mercury, age significantly if they’re frequently switched on and off, and are prone to flicker.

There needed to be a better solution.

When the first LEDs were introduced in the 1960s, they weren’t really all that useful because at the time, they could only emit green and red light.

And for the next three decades, advances were made to include red and green, but they couldn’t quite get to blue, which was needed to make white light.

But the appeal was obvious: Unlike ordinary incandescent bulbs, LEDs don’t have a filament that will burn out, they don’t get hot, and they require a lot less energy.

So the biggest electronics companies raced to create a powerful blue LED.

But the problem of the missing colour plagued them for nearly 30 years.

It wasn’t until the 90s, when Japanese scientists developed the first high-brightness blue LED, that people realised the three of those colours could be combined to produce white light – making them acceptable for everyday use.

Future of LEDs

The small, energy-efficient, and extremely bright LEDs started a light revolution and are now used in almost every piece of electronics.

Without it, much of what we use today wouldn’t be possible.

In terms of efficiency, longevity and sheer light output, LEDs have now become the standard choice and by the year 2050 – they’re expected to completely replace fluorescent and incandescent bulbs.

Plus, LED bulbs – just like any technology – get dramatically cheaper every year.

They offer many benefits in illuminating industrial, commercial, and residential areas – they will cost less, consume less energy and last longer.

Where to source your LED lighting gear?

At Nedlands Group, we are trusted for our POWER-LITE products in providing the best quality of LED fittings on the market.

When you deal with us, you can be certain that you’re getting only the best in advice, service and overall product quality.

Need LED lighting products for your next project? Contact Nedlands Group to receive fast, friendly and efficient service and great quality products from a trusted lighting manufacturer and wholesaler.