ELECTRIC LIGHT INVENTION

Hokitika Guardian, 4 January 1930, Page 7

ELECTRIC LIGHT INVENTION

BRITISH REPLY TO U.S. CLAIM

LONDON, October 25. Edison did not invent the incandescent electric lamp. That is the definite answer of leading British scientists to celebrations being hold in the United States and attended by President Hoover of the 50th anniversary of its alleged invention by Mr Thomas Edison. The British Institution of Electrical Engineers on December 20, 1928, celebrated the 50th anniversary of its invention by Sir Joseph Swan. At that time a commemorative lecture was delivered by Mr James Swinburne, tho well-known electrical engineer and former president of the institution. To a representative of the Daily Mail yesterday Mr Swinburne said:

Without detracting from tho credit due to Edison for the great work he has done in other ■branches of electrical invention, we must admit that Sir Joseph Swan was the real inventor l of the incandescent lamp, and that Edison added, nothing to it at all.

Chronologically the facts cannot he disputed. As early as 18fjQ the late Sir Joseph Swan produced a red glow in a carbon filament in an air exhausted glass bulb, and fn December 1.878 lie was showing perfected lamps in England. Even, six montlis later Air Edison’s invention in America was admittedly at the laboratory stage. Upon Swan’s invention tho great industry of electric lamp manufacture was started both here and abroad.