This is a true story.
Edison tested many materials, metals all sorts of vegetables and
everything until he had success.
Finally the lightbulb was ready.
It was a little bit unreliable, but it was clear it worked as a prototype.
It was clear for Edison, this is a multi million dollar market. It would
finally make the gas light obsolete and open the way for large scale
industrialization of electricity.
It was clear all vendors of gas and makers of petrol and petrol lamps
would surpress his invention and murder him, if he fully demonstrates it.
So he drilled a small pinhole into a tin box. He made a big demonstration.
"Only trusted visitors please. No photos please. Sceptics, Mr Tesla, Mr.
Westinghouse, Mr Siemens and gas light makers and experts must stay out
sorry."
He showed the dark bulb and then put the box over it and switched on the
current.
"You see the light. This is an irrefutable proof it works. You all know
the laws of optics and we now measure the temperature of the box and the
light strength at the pinhole. From this we can calculate undoubtedly
the degree of efficiency. You may investigate the cables, if any gas is
flowing through them.
Sorry I cannot show more. If you want to see the real light you must
give me aa million dolaar and buy a license after successful demonstration"
This is why the electric filament bulb was such a big succes and indeed
quick and intense industrialization of electric energy followed.
;-)
Peter
