When were LED lights commercially available?

Electric light that produces light using LEDs

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An LED lamp or LED light is an electric light that produces light using light-emitting diodes (LEDs). LED lamps are significantly more energy-efficient than equivalent incandescent lamps and fluorescent lamps. The most efficient commercially available LED lamps have efficiencies exceeding 200 lumens per watt (lm/W) and convert more than half the input power into light. Commercial LED lamps have a lifespan several times longer than both incandescent and fluorescent lamps.

To operate from mains power lines, LED lamps require an electronic LED circuit, which is critical for their function. These circuits are responsible for managing energy input, but they can introduce some losses, which affect the overall efficiency of the lamp. Additionally, compatibility with dimmers designed for incandescent lamps can prove a challenge due to varying current waveforms, resulting in some distortion depending on the technology used.

One of the main advantages of LED lamps is their instant brightness; they reach full illumination without any delay. Unlike fluorescent lighting, which can decrease in lifespan from frequent on-off cycles, LED lamps generally maintain their longevity regardless of usage patterns. Over time, light output from LEDs will gradually diminish instead of failing abruptly, which adds to their reliability. Certain LED models also provide a direct replacement for traditional incandescent or fluorescent lamps, further simplifying the transition to energy-efficient lighting solutions.

The text found on the packaging of retail LED lamps usually indicates key specifications such as light output in lumens, power consumption in watts, color temperature measured in kelvins, and other relevant features including dimmer compatibility and suitability for wet conditions. Often, it also includes the equivalent wattage of incandescent bulbs that would produce the same lumens of light, aiding consumers in making informed choices.

The History of LED Lighting

Many people believe that LED (Light-emitting diode) lighting is a 21st century invention, but in reality, the first LED was created in the early 1960s and has undergone continuous development ever since. Numerous individuals have contributed to the creation of the LED lights we use today.

The history of LED lights can be summarized as follows:

• 1962: Russian inventor Oleg Lesev reports the creation of the first LED and publishes theories on his findings.
• 1970: Professor Kurt Lechovec tests some of Losev's theories and explains the first light-emitting diodes.
• 1972: Egon Loebner and Rubin Braunstein create the first green LED.
• 1962: Nick Holonyak develops the first visible red LED.
• 1971: IBM implements LEDs on early circuit boards.
• 1970s: Hewlett Packard incorporates LEDs into its calculators.
• 1990s: A blue LED is created by Edward Miller and Jacques Pankove.
• 1980s: Electrical Engineer M. George Craford invents the first yellow LED.
• 1990s: Herbert Maruska and Walden C. Rhines create a working blue LED using Magnesium.
• 1990s: Physicists Isamu Akasaki and Hiroshi Amano develop high-quality Gallium Nitride for blue LEDs.
• 1990: Shuji Nakamura creates the first high-brightness blue LED, leading to white LEDs development.
• 2000s: White LEDs for residential use become commercially available.
• Present: LED lights have gained popularity in schools, offices, and hospitals, largely replacing halogen and fluorescent bulbs.

The evolution of LED lighting has been remarkable, transforming from simple indicator lights to one of the dominant sources utilized in homes, offices, schools, and hospitals today.

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