The Legacy Lives On

Hello fellow readers,

This will be my final post for I feel I am too weak to do anymore. I have grown old and need rest. My days as an inventor are over but that does not mean that what I have done will disappear. I know for a fact that my lightbulb will change lives and improve the quality of life for society as it has for me. I hope that all my work will prove to create a positive change for the world and push young people to pursue their dreams and get the most out of their lives. Through my hard work and dedication to my research and inventing, I’ve learned that money and fame is not important. Rather, the legacy you leave behind is what will allow your name to live on after your death. Whether or not that proves true for me, I am certain that my work has made an impact on society, and that is all that matters to me. I currently reside in Warlingham, England and plan on staying here. I’d like to thank Thomas Edison for being a great partner and wish the best for him, as well as any of my other great friends. Thanks to all of you.

Sir Joseph Wilson Swan

Thomas Edison and I

Hello fellow readers,With my new popular invention of the incandescent lightbulb, news spread all around the world of this new technology While I was getting my invention patented, in America, Thomas Edison was studying my light bulb and receiving patents for a similar copy of my invention. Edison then convinced people that he was the true inventor of the invention.Edison was interested in the money that he would earn from the invention, but I did not care much for the money I would receive. Therefore, I negotiated and agreed that Edison was allowed to sell the light bulbs. Part of our negation stated that Edison was allowed to sell the light bulbs throughout America, but I would be able to keep the rights in Britain. Together, we created the Edison and Swan United Company in 1883, which was formerly established as the Swan Electric Lamp Company. This company was commonly known by the name “Ediswan”. While working with Edison,  discovered another filament while searching for an advance in technology by forming conducting fibers. My company used cellulose filaments while Edison used bamboo filaments in his own company. After a while, Edison’s company then decided to change to cellulose filaments. The Ediswan Company then moved their production to a former mill where they produced numerous new products. Thermionic valves and cathode ray tubes are just a few of the booming manufacture. Both of our inventions became a critical part of the electronic industry.

One Great Invention Leads to Another...

Hello fellow readers,

Although my main focus of invention was on the incandescent lightbulb, I also had a slight interest in the world of photography. Photography is something that was just invented a couple of years ago, but already, it seems to have had a great impact of the daily lives of everyday citizens. 

While I was working with some photographic plates in my dark room, I discovered that if more heat was added to a sample of silver-bromide emulsion, the sensitivity of the emulsion would increase greatly. I thought to myself that it would be much better if we used dry photographic plates rather than wet ones. This would make developing photographs much more simple and clean. 

I put some of my time into developing a type of paper that could replace the silver-bromide emulsion. Within the decade, I invented a dry paper that could be used to develop black and white pictures. This made developing photographs much easier and quick. I simply called this invention “Bromide Paper” and added its patent to my collection.

Creation of the Lightbulb

Hello fellow readers,

Certainly, all of you know that I invented the first incandescent lightbulb. Although it is an amazing feat of engineering and a convenient item to use, it was definitely no easy task to create the object itself. 

I first began my project by using a carbonized paper filament placed within a glass bulb. After hundreds of failures, I was able to get it right and after 10 years, I was able to show the world what I had created and I received a patent in Great Britain for my invention. However, my first lightbulb proved to be very inefficient and lasted for a very short amount of time.

Nearly 15 years after my first prototype lightbulb, I created my second prototype. This time, rather than using a carbonized paper filament, I used a carbonized thread. This change allowed for the lightbulb to be brighter and longer lasting. Also, my new design allowed for minimal residual oxygen to prevent the filament from igniting and burning itself out. With this new and improved version of the incandescent lightbulb, I received a British patent for this model just shy of a year before an American inventor by the name of Thomas Edison received his American patent. 

In order to promote my new invention, I sent the Savoy Theater in London 1,200 light bulbs to light up their stage. They used a generator placed a couple blocks away from the theater to power these lightbulbs. People favored my lightbulbs over the traditional candle lighting because they did not generate heat and omit an awful smell. Not to mention it was much more pleasing to the eye to look at. 

Welcome!

Hello fellow readers,

Welcome to my blog. My name is Sir Joseph Wilson Swan. I was born in Pallion Hall, Bishopwearmouth, and the son of John and Isabella Swan. I currently live in Gateshead, England and work as a chemist as well as a physicist. Many know me for my revolutionary invention that has lit up the world. Yes, I am the creator of the first incandescent light bulb. My ingenious invention was a giant leap in technology that brightened up the world we live in. 

I personally feel that I live quite an extraordinary life. One of the biggest milestones of my life was obviously my creation of the incandescent lightbulb. Once it was distributed to the public, its popularity spread like a disease. Buildings all over the world began to light up and shine. My invention made it very convenient for people to see in the dark or add light into a room. I knew that I had succeeded when the Savoy Theater was completely lit by my lightbulbs. 

Another moment I am definitely proud of has nothing to do with inventions or lightbulbs. In 1904, I was knighted by His Majesty, King Edward VII and given the Royal Society’s Hughes Medal. My success reached much farther than the borders of England. In France, I was given one of the greatest French honors, the Légion d'honneur. 

I can honestly say that my life is one of great merit and meaning. Continue to read my posts as I tell you more about how I feel and what is on my mind. I hope you will enjoy following me on my daily adventures.

Websites Used

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Swan


http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Joseph_Swan

http://americanhistory.si.edu/lighting/bios/swan.htm

http://www.magneticallyheldlightbulbs.com/history-of-the-light-bulb.html