When Thomas Edison first patented the incandescent lightbulb in 1878, it was clear that he had already begun to revolutionize the way that humans live their lives. By being willing to challenge the ideas contained in the status quo, Edison was able to produce a major breakthrough that would change the world forever.

But while the original incandescent lamp was certainly revolutionary, it is now clear that this major breakthrough was just the first of many leaps forward in the world of lighting technology. Though the incandescent bulb would spread around the world in a matter of only a few years, there were still many revolutionary changes waiting to unfold.

Over the past 140 years, the world has seen many different types of lighting technology come into and fall out of style. However, the ongoing development of LED lighting technology seems to have permanently changed our world. As the quality of LED bulbs continues to improve—while the cost of producing a single bulb declines—LED bulbs are rapidly replacing existing lighting structures in both the developed and developing world.

In this article, we will discuss some of the many ways that LED technology has contributed to a lighting “revolution.” By understanding the past, present, and future of the world of commercial lighting, the breakthrough that is the LED bulb can be fully appreciated.

A Brief History of LED Lighting Technology

While the development of the incandescent lightbulb certainly presented a major breakthrough, it was only the beginning of greater things to come. In the early 20^th Century, scientists began experimenting with fluorescent lamps and, eventually, metal halide lamps. Both of these lightbulbs proved to be capable of producing brighter lights (measured in terms of lumens) and had longer bulb lives. Still, the innovative minds in the lighting industry sought to improve their products even further.

The first semblance of LED lighting technology was developed in the 1960s, though this technology only vaguely resembled the commercial LED Christmas lights that can be found on the market today. Over the next few decades, multiple companies and organizations around the world would compete to be the first to unlock the long sought after LED “white whale.”

The first LED Christmas tree was produced in China in 1998. Eventually, technology would improve even further, culminating in a Nobel Prize for the Japanese scientists Akasaki, Amano, and Nakamura in 2014 for their development of the white LED lightbulb. Cree, Panasonic, Samsung, and other multinational corporations were among the first to introduce LED lighting technology to the general public. Since then, LED has been rapidly replacing its incandescent and fluorescent ancestors, offering a superior source of light that is also energy efficient.

Delivering Greener Solutions to a World in Need

According to E. Fred Schubert, recently published in the Optical Society’s journal, “we are on the verge of a revolution.” With LED lighting technology continuing to advance, it is clear that these LED lights are not just a new invention, but they are something that has the potential to change the way we illuminate our world. Currently, lighting accounts for roughly 12 percent of all energy consumption in the developed world. If this 12 percent could be effectively reduced—something LED tech has now made possible—we can reduce our carbon footprint and change the way we live.

LED bulbs have been proven to be 20 times as energy as efficient as their ancestors, and their longer bulb lives are responsible for the production of considerably less material waste. According to some estimates, the switch to LED bulbs will amount to over $1 trillion in energy savings over the course of the next ten years. That is certainly no small chunk of change. As LED technology is further introduced to the developing world, the net savings from making the switch will likely be even greater.

Developing the World’s Most Functional Lightbulb

The proliferation of the LED lighting industry was not just a small step forward, it was a huge leap that seems to be almost as significant as the original development of the lightbulb itself. The environmental benefits of LED lights are much needed in a world that is facing climate change, energy production challenges, and various other issues. But, all things considered, these benefits are really just the tip of the iceberg in what LED tech has to offer.

Some of the other benefits of LED technology include:

• Increased flexibility: because each bulb requires considerably less energy in order to operate, commercial decorators can now create significantly more complex displays from a single energy source.
• Creative excellence: having special features such as flashing lights, changing colors, and the ability to create complex displays all combine to create the most stunning light displays ever known to man. The modern Christmas light displays that many people know and love would not have been possible just one decade ago.
• Increased accessibility: as technology improves, the cost of producing a single lumen of light has been steadily decreasing. The increased accessibility of LED lighting has made this technology something that is not only available to large-budget decorators but is also available to ordinary people.
• Complex decorations: the dynamic nature of LED lighting tech makes it possible to create more intricate decorations such as falling snow lights, LED character lights, and various others. Unlike years past, the only functional limit remaining is the creative ingenuity of commercial lighters.

Whether you are looking at LED lights from a cost perspective, a utilitarian perspective, an environmental perspective, or any other angle, it is clear that these bulbs have established themselves as the superior lighting option.

Looking Towards the Future

As we continue to move into the future, LED lighting technology will continue promoting itself as a universal norm. Not only will these lights be found in commercial Christmas displays, but they will also be found in almost every setting where high-quality bulbs are needed. Whether you are looking at the scoreboard at a stadium, the lights above your street, or any other place where bright and sustainable bulbs are needed, LED tech will find a way to work itself into your world. There is no telling what the future will have in store. But it is clear that, as a result of the apparent LED lighting “revolution”, this brilliant new technology is certainly here to stay.