A transformer is an electrical device that works on electromagnetic induction to transfer electrical energy between two or more circuits. It is used in a wide range of power appliances to increase, or decrease voltage.
We see transformers in almost every city. They are used to convert high-voltage electricity from incoming power lines, to lower-voltages.
Continue reading “Why is it said that the invention of the transformer was a turning point?”
To put it simply, a transistor is an electronic component that can do two different jobs. It can act as an amplifier or a switch, depending on the need.
As an amplifier, a transistor does the job of boosting current. That is, it takes in a tiny input current at one end and produces a bigger output current at the other end.
It was at the Bell Laboratories in New Jersey that transistor was demonstrated for the first time. That happened on December 23rd, 1947. William Shockley, John Bardeen and Walter Brattain are the three persons credited with its invention.
In 1956, they were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics “for their researches on semiconductors and their discovery of the transistor effect”.
In one of his experiments, Thomas Alva Edison discovered that electrons can flow from one metal conductor to another, through a vacuum. This discovery was later named as the Edison Effect.
Sometime in the early 1880s, Edison and his team were working to find a light bulb filament. Their carbonized bamboo filament did well, but even so, carbon deposits were seen inside the bulb after hours. That was when he noticed that the carbon came from the end of the filament which was attached to the power supply. It looked as though it was flying through a vacuum onto the walls!
Edison realized that there was electric charge flowing not just through the filament, but through the evacuated bulb as well.
Although Edison was right about the flow, he could not find the reason behind it. He moved on to other experiments.
Later, it was proved that Edison, with his experiment, discovered the basis of the vacuum tube. And the modified light bulbs were later used to control the flow of electrons through vacuum.
An electronic amplifier is a tool that can amplify or increase the power, current, or voltage of a signal. It could be either a separate piece of equipment, or an electrical circuit within another device, but in general, amplifiers are used in almost all electronic equipment that we see around. They are particularly used in wireless communications and broadcasting.
Before the amplifiers were introduced, mechanically coupled microphones were used to serve the purpose in telephone repeaters.
In 1906, the triode was invented. It was the first electronic device that could amplify signals. It is a fundamental form of vacuum tube developed by the American inventor Lee De Forest. He had only a little understanding of how the tube worked.
However, the discovery revolutionized electrical technology, and laid the foundation of electronics. It also made possible radio broadcasting, talking motion pictures, and countless other applications.
Different kinds of electric lamps were invented by masters in the past.
The English inventor Humphrey Davy’s electric arc lamp was one such creation that made great changes in the field of electricity and lighting.
However, the arc lamps were not flawless. Their biggest disadvantage was that they were not fit for practical use. They emitted too much of light and also, burnt out quickly. Nevertheless, the principle of arc lamps was used till the 1900s by various inventors for developing electric lights and bulbs. Among them were Warren de la Rue and William Staite.
In 1840, the British scientist Rue developed a light bulb using coiled platinum filament instead of copper. Staite, on the other hand, had been working on increasing the longevity of conventional arc lamps. In 1848, he developed a clockwork mechanism. Through this, he was able to regulate the movement of the carbon rods used in the lamps that eroded very quickly.
The story of the invention of the electric bulb was very interesting. Even though many believe that it is Thomas Alva Edison who discovered the light bulb, it was not so. He played a major role in the development of the light bulb, and its popularity. The story of the light bulb begins long before Edison patented the first commercially successful bulb in 1879.
Alessandro Volta’s invention of the battery in 1800, gave inspiration to many scientists. One among them was Humphrey Davy. He produced the world’s first electric lamp by connecting voltaic piles to charcoal electrodes. It cannot be called an electric bulb as such. It was an electric arc lamp, and he introduced it in 1802. It was named so for the bright arc of light emitted between its two carbon rods. However, Davy’s arc lamp wasn’t a very practical source of lighting. It was much too bright for use in a home, and it burned quickly. But the principles behind this arc light were used throughout the 1800s, and many took inspiration from this invention.
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