Electric bulbs
Date
1880s
Creator - Organisation
Edison and Swan United Electric Light Company Limited, Instrument maker
Object type
Archive reference number
Material
Subject
Content object
Description
Two electric bulbs, one pink [right as viewed] and one blue [left]. Each with a glass chamber, screw cap fitting and 'EDISWAN' inscribed on their surface.
Joseph Wilson Swan successfully produced an incandescent electric lamp in 1887 (see RS.18191), which he patented on 27 November 1880. He set up the Swan United Electric Company to commercially produce the lamp, however, was threatened with legal action by the rival Edison Electric Light Company, who claimed infringement of the patents taken out by Thomas Alva Edison. Instead of going to trial, the two companies agreed to merge, becoming the Edison and Swan United Electric Light Company Limited in 1883. In combining forces, the Company dominated the British market with their ‘Ediswan’ bulbs.
Joseph Wilson Swan (1828–1914) British chemist and inventor was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1894.
Thomas Alva Edison (1847 –1931) American inventor and businessman was not a Fellow of the Royal Society.
Joseph Wilson Swan successfully produced an incandescent electric lamp in 1887 (see RS.18191), which he patented on 27 November 1880. He set up the Swan United Electric Company to commercially produce the lamp, however, was threatened with legal action by the rival Edison Electric Light Company, who claimed infringement of the patents taken out by Thomas Alva Edison. Instead of going to trial, the two companies agreed to merge, becoming the Edison and Swan United Electric Light Company Limited in 1883. In combining forces, the Company dominated the British market with their ‘Ediswan’ bulbs.
Joseph Wilson Swan (1828–1914) British chemist and inventor was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1894.
Thomas Alva Edison (1847 –1931) American inventor and businessman was not a Fellow of the Royal Society.
Related fellows
Joseph Wilson Swan (1828, British)
Associated place