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A Brief History of Light

By Betsy Mason and Keith Axline Write to the Author   
See related story: Nov. 25, 1816: Theater Lighting — It's a Gas
11.25.08

We tour the history of man-made lights, from oil to arcs to neon. See how far we've come.

Left: Often cited as the most profound and significant human discovery, humans finally were able to manifest light by using fire. Providing civilizations' artificial lighting needs for thousands of years by combusting fuels, fire was replaced only when electricity was discovered.

Photo: Alexander Martin, 1929

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