There’s been a slight change of plans from last week.We came across something that challenged our assumptions and we wanted to share. That something is how to make a light bulb at home. However, we believe there is a deeper message behind this for all of us to share. So we delayed using batteries, light bulbs, insulators, and conductors in simple experiments, in favor of something with greater potential.
How Make a Simple Light Bulb
Now an incandescent light bulb is a filament through which electricity flows, and which makes that filament hot enough to glow. Our experiment to make a light bulb illustrates the point the current voltage must be high enough to heat the filament, but not enough to melt it.
The fellow in the video explains it nicely enough. So watch him demonstrate his ideas, and share the technical explanation at the end that wraps up the science.
By now you’re probably thinking, oh wow that’s no big deal. Sure, we have to agree with you too, because we could purchase a better light bulb at almost any convenience store. But that’s only because an American fellow named Thomas Edison came up with the original idea, and invented a working version in 1878 while he was still a young man.
How This Experiment Inspires Us
But Edison’s inventive mind was not done yet, no not done yet by far. He found many more things to do with the amazing phenomenon of electricity captivating America. We showed you this experiment to make a light bulb, because we wanted you to imagine what’s possible for you too.
Thomas Edison was not the son of some wealthy person who sent him to Harvard to learn science. He came from immigrant stock that arrived in America in search of a better life. His mother home-schooled him, and taught him what he knew.
We’re confident she asked him sometime, ‘Thomas, what are you going to do with your life?’ That was a very good question and he replied with action! So what are YOU planning on doing with YOUR life, young person? How are YOU going to improve your world? We hope you agree that’s a deeper issue than making a light bulb.
More Information
Experiments with Batteries and Circuits
