A Classification of Light Bulbs Since Thomas Edison's illuminating invention of the light bulb in 1879, efforts have been made by scientists, researchers and entrepreneurs to improve their efficiency and practicality. Significant advancements and variations in light-producing technologies have transformed light bulbs into technological, energy-efficient devices used in daily life. Contemporary light bulbs can be divided into four categories: incandescent, fluorescent, light-emitting diodes and arc lamps, each with unique qualities and characteristics. Incandescent light bulbs, although considered by many scientists to be inefficient and environmentally costly, remain the preferred lighting source for the majority of residential, commercial, and industrial applications worldwide. The simple design concept of an incandescent bulb allows for low manufacturing and distribution costs, giving incandescent bulbs an advantage over contemporary, expensive bulb technology. Incandescent bulbs produce light by using heat generated by electricity to illuminate a thin wire called a filament. The filament, often made of tungsten, is surrounded by a glass bulb, effectively counteracting the limitations of the filament's light-producing capabilities under certain environmental conditions. One limitation includes the presence of corrosion-inducing oxygen in the atmosphere. Oxygen slowly corrodes the filament, significantly reduces filament brightness and longevity. To eliminate corrosive forces, the bulb is filled with an inert gas which surrounds the filament. Typically, argon is used in the bulb because it does not corrode the filament. Coated on the inner surface of...... middle of paper ......ity of the carbon rods. Rods placed close together produce less intense light while rods further away produce flickering light. The carbon rods are surrounded by a glass bulb which contains xenon gas and metal salts. When electricity is introduced through the carbon rods, the metal salts evaporate, allowing the production of plasma. The xenon gas stabilizes the plasma arc between the carbon rods, allowing the light to have greater intensity. Arc lamps are extremely energy efficient and should remain a possible option for use in industrial and commercial applications. Since Thomas Edison's invention of the light bulb in 1879, scientists, researchers and entrepreneurs have made significant advances in light-producing technologies, transforming light bulbs into technological, energy-efficient devices used in everyday life.