Let there be light: how LEDs are lighting up a brighter future
Artificial lighting has changed our society beyond recognition. Human life had been dictated by the rise and setting of the sun, with only the control of fire in Neolithic times giving our species any sense of autonomy from this cycle. This persisted into the 19th century with only candlelight and lamp flames to illuminate long, dark evenings and these items were considered luxury. This was transformed by the development of electricity and Thomas Edison’s practical incandescent lightbulb which spread across the globe delivering affordable, brilliant light at the flick of a switch to the vast majority of the world’s population.
The benefits of this now mundane item are immeasurable. It effectively allows us control time and make use of it to work, study, socialise, play and travel. Imagine finishing work on a winter's evening, walking to the pub, meeting friends for a drink, getting a taxi home afterwards, making and eating dinner and reading a book as you go to bed. Now imagine trying to do this without artificial lighting. For us in the modern world, it is simply incomprehensible.