The Progress of Light

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LEARN.

For you to see, light must enter your eyes. During the day there is usually plenty of natural light and we see the objects around us. At night, there is much less natural light and we have difficulty seeing.

Read the following instructions and then try this little experiment at home (if you are wearing glasses, you will have to take them off for this): Close your eyes and then cover them with the cupped palms of your hands. Be sure you have your fingers pressed against your nose to really block out the light. Keep your eyes closed for 6 seconds. Then open your eyes. Can you see anything in the palms of your hands? Now remove your hands. How did your eyes adjust to the light?

Throughout time, people have worked to find a way to produce light that would help them during the times of darkness. But electricity has only been available for a little more than 100 years and people have been around for thousands of years.

How did we produce light before we had electricity? This activity will challenge you to think about the ways artificial light has changed over time, and even predict what lights might look like in the future.

Materials Needed:

  • Pen or Pencil
  • Paper

Instructions:

STEP 1: The pictures below show different lighting technologies over time. Read the questions first, then analyze the pair of photos. Think about the question presented and make your best guess.
STEP 2: To see if you are correct, slide the bar on the photo to the left and to the right to learn more about these sources of light.
STEP 3: Repeat steps 1 and 2 for each of the pairs of photos below.

 

Is one lamp older than the other? Which lamp do you think gives off more light? What observations about the lamps are you using to make your guess?

 
Whale oil was used for lamps in the late 1700s and early 1800s. The lamp in the picture is made from molded, clear glass, so you could easily see how much oil remains and possibly predict how much time has passed since it was filled. Whale oil was used for lamps in the late 1700s and early 1800s. The lamp in the picture is made from molded, clear glass, so you could easily see how much oil remains and possibly predict how much time has passed since it was filled.

Left image
Credit: Delaware Agricultural Museum and Village

Right image
Credit: Delaware Agricultural Museum and Village

 

Is one lamp safer than the other? Why do you think that?

 
The pierced lantern provides a way to protect a candle flame from the wind and its wide base gives it stability. Because glass was very expensive in the 1700s, glass-sided lanterns were not practical for everyday use. The pierced lantern provides a way to protect a candle flame from the wind and its wide base gives it stability. Because glass was very expensive in the 1700s, glass-sided lanterns were not practical for everyday use.

Left image
Credit: Delaware Agricultural Museum and Village

Right image
Credit: Delaware Agricultural Museum and Village

 

Does one of these direct the light better than the other? Why do you think that?

 
Candles were also used often as a source for light between the earliest settlements in America and 1900. The light from a candle shines in all directions. They could be made of animal fat, but some were made from bee’s wax or bayberry wax. Candles were also used often as a source for light between the earliest settlements in America and 1900. The light from a candle shines in all directions. They could be made of animal fat, but some were made from bee’s wax or bayberry wax.

Left image
Credit: Delaware Agricultural Museum and Village

Right image
Credit: Delaware Agricultural Museum and Village

 

Is one light bulb older than the other? Which light do you think is more energy-efficient? Why do you think so?

 
LED lamps have become popular in the 2000’s. LED stands for Light Emitting Diode, a semiconductor that emits light when electric current passes through. LED lights are both energy efficient and bright. LED lamps have become popular in the 2000’s. LED stands for Light Emitting Diode, a semiconductor that emits light when electric current passes through. LED lights are both energy efficient and bright.

Left image
Credit: Delaware Agricultural Museum and Village

Right image
Credit: Delaware Agricultural Museum and Village

 

DO.

Design a Light of the Future!

In the activity above you learned how lamps have evolved over time by using different fuel sources such as oil, wax and electricity. You also learned that protected flames are safer than open flames and that light can be directed to a specific place using lenses. Now it is up to you to create the next light.

Instructions:

STEP 1: Use these questions to help you get started:

  • What might a lamp 100 years in the future look like?

  • What would its fuel source be?

  • How bright would it be?

  • How would the light be directed?

  • What safety features would it have?

STEP 2: Draw and label your lamp design keeping all of these factors in mind. If you're feeling extra creative, you can build a prototype of your lamp with clay, cardboard, or other materials around your house, but remember, safety first!

STEP 3: Include a paragraph describing why you designed this future light source the way you did.

REFLECT.

We’ve learned that humans have been using different types of lamps and artificial light for hundreds of years. Let’s take a moment to think about how your life would be affected if there was no artificial light. If you only had the hours that the sun was up to get things done, what things would you no longer be able to do in your current life?

 

Thank you to our partners!

This program would not have been possible without the time and dedication from the staff at the Delaware Agricultural Museum and Village. Big thanks to everyone who helped create this experience.

Last updated: May 11, 2021

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

First State National Historical Park
10 Market Street
New Castle, DE 19720

Phone:

302-317-3854
To speak to a park ranger, call the park Welcome Center (302-317-3854) and someone will return your call as soon as possible. For a more immediate response, please email the park at firststate@nps.gov.

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