The Entire History Of Lighting

This week we have a bit of a fun post which showcases every innovation in history that has led to the wonderful selection of decorative lighting we can choose from today.

It’s strange to think where we would be today without the humble light fitting or light bulbs, imagine having to do everything by candlelight or gas lamp. There have been many pioneers in the world of lighting from both a technological and artistic viewpoint, and all have contributed to the dazzling array of lighting choices available today.

Searchlight Electric are proud to be part of that timeline too – we’ve been innovating in the design, manufacture and wholesale retail of lighting since 1945! From small beginnings in Manchester to the global company you see today.

History Of Lighting Infographic

From the prehistoric era to the Internet of Things (IoT)…



Prehistoric Era: Fire was used for lighting in the form of torches and campfires.
1802: Humphry Davy invents the first electric light, known as the "arc lamp."
1840s: Sir William Robert Grove developed the first incandescent light by passing an electric current through a filament.
1850s: Camille Alphonse Faure introduced the first practical carbon arc lamp.
1879: Thomas Edison and his team invented the practical incandescent light bulb, improving upon earlier designs.
1881: The Savoy Theatre in London became the first public building to be lit entirely by electricity.
1893: Nikola Tesla develops and patents the Tesla coil, a key component in the transmission of alternating current (AC) for lighting.
1910s: Irving Langmuir introduced the gas-filled tungsten filament bulb, increasing the efficiency and lifespan of incandescent lights.
1927: Edmund Germer, Friedrich Meyer, and Hans Spanner patented the first fluorescent lamp.
1930s: General Electric introduced halogen lamps improving efficiency and extending bulb life.
1945: Searchlight Electric was founded by Sir Sidney Hamburger.
1959: Nick Holonyak Jr. invented the first practical visible-spectrum light-emitting diode (LED).
1970s: Energy-efficient compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) were developed as an alternative to incandescent bulbs.
1980s: Light Emitting Diode (LED) technology advances, leading to the development of brighter and more efficient LEDs.
1990s: Shuji Nakamura developed blue LEDs which enabled the creation of white LEDs and revolutionised energy-efficient lighting.
2000s: Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) gained popularity as a more energy-efficient alternative to traditional incandescent bulbs.
2010s: The widespread adoption of LED lighting for residential, commercial, and industrial applications due to its energy efficiency, longevity, and cost savings.
2020s: Continued advancements in smart lighting technologies, including integration with Internet of Things (IoT) devices for enhanced control and automation.