Discover the fascinating journey from homemade candles to modern electric lights. Explore the labor-intensive process of candle-making and the historical significance of various lighting methods. Hear about the revolutionary shift from kerosene to electric lighting and the challenges faced by innovators like Thomas Edison. Learn how financing shaped the development of early power stations and the profound economic impacts of lighting advancements. Dive into the past while considering the future of light and its environmental implications.
Advancements in lighting technology revolutionized society, transitioning from labor-intensive candles to efficient electric lamps.
The evolution of light sources serves as a historical indicator of economic development and productivity milestones.
Deep dives
Evolution of Light Sources from Ancient Times to Modernity
Throughout history, the evolution of light sources has dramatically impacted human progress. Initially relying on candles made of animal fat, which were labor-intensive to create, advancements led to whale oil and eventually kerosene, significantly brighter and more efficient sources of light. The transition to electric lamps, notably marked by the invention of the light bulb and its mass production, symbolized a pivotal shift towards widespread illumination, transforming the way society functioned after dusk.
Economic Significance of Illumination and Technological Advancements
The cost and availability of light serve as indicators of economic development and productivity over millennia. Economist Bill Nordhaus's exploration of the cost of light in ancient Babylon revealed the arduousness and expense of obtaining illumination in early civilizations. Technological innovations like the electric lamp and later the light bulb not only revolutionized daily life but also underscored the critical relationship between scientific progress, financial investment, and societal advancement throughout history.
Continuous Innovation and Economic Growth Through Efficiency
The story of constant economic growth, driven by continual innovation in lighting technology, illustrates the essence of progress and productivity improvements. Led by individuals like John Edmund, creators constantly strive for enhanced efficiency and performance in light bulb manufacturing to meet evolving consumer needs. This cycle of incremental enhancements in various sectors echoes the enduring quest for advancement while raising questions about the sustainability and limitations of perpetual growth in the future.
For thousands of years, getting light was a huge hassle. You had to make candles from scratch. This is not as romantic as it sounds. You had to get a cow, raise the cow, feed the cow, kill the cow, get the fat out of the cow, cook the fat, dip wicks into the fat. All that--for not very much light. Now, if we want to light a whole room, we just flip a switch.
The history of light explains why the world today is the way it is. It explains why we aren't all subsistence farmers, and why we can afford to have artists and massage therapists and plumbers. (And, yes, people who make podcasts about the history of light.) The history of light is the history of economic growth--of things getting faster, cheaper, and more efficient.
On today's show: How we got from dim little candles made out of cow fat, to as much light as we want at the flick of a switch.
Today's show was hosted by Jacob Goldstein and David Kestenbaum. It was originally produced by Caitlin Kenney and Damiano Marchetti. Today's rerun was produced by James Sneed, and edited by Jenny Lawton. It was fact-checked by Sierra Juarez. Engineering by Valentina Rodríguez Sánchez. Alex Goldmark is Planet Money's executive producer.