3 ms·
How many inventions were invented multiple times because the first inventor ran out of money before reaching a viable product? That's a worthwhile analysis. Ed
by Animats 1y ago
How many inventions were invented multiple times because the first inventor ran out of money before reaching a viable product? That's a worthwhile analysis.
Edison got a workable lightbulb by having a whole staff trying different materials. The concept was known - find some resistive material that will tolerate high temperature and run some power through it. Works fine with platinum, but costs too much. Many materials can be carbonized but the filaments don't last. Swan maxed out at 14 hours.
Edison's lab just kept trying materials until they got carbonized bamboo to work for 1200 hours.
It's the power of money.
- analog31 1y agoIn addition to the filament material, Edison's research program also worked tirelessly on improving vacuum technology. Getting electric current into a glass bulb without leaks or cracking due to thermal expansion, and keeping the air out, are no small feats.
- peterfirefly 1y agoThey started by improving vacuum pumps and getting several patents on that. This was before the invention of the getter, so the pumps had to do all the work.
- analog31 1y agoAh, the getter. Another materials problem. ;-)
- peterfirefly 1y agoGetters are fascinating. I read a bit about the type they use for the LHC...