"In the following pages I have endeavored to discuss artificial light for the general reader, in a manner as devoid as possible of intricate details. The early chapters deal particularly with primitive artificial light and their contents are generally historical. The science of light-production may be considered to have been born in the latter part of the eighteenth century and beginning with that period a few chapters treat of the development of artificial light up to the present time. Until the middle of the nineteenth century mere light was available, but as the century progressed, the light-sources through the application of science became more powerful and efficient. Gradually mere light grew to more light and in the dawn of the twentieth century adequate light became available. In a single century, after the development of artificial light began in earnest, the efficiency of light-production increased fifty-fold and the cost diminished correspondingly. The next group of chapters deals with various economic influences of artificial light and with some of the byways in which artificial light is serving mankind. On passing through the spectacular aspects of lighting we finally emerge into the esthetics of light and lighting.

The aim has been to show that artificial light has become intricately interwoven with human activities and that it has been a powerful influence upon the progress of civilization. The subject is too extensive to be treated in detail in a single volume, but an effort has been made to present a discussion fairly complete in scope. It is hoped that the reader will gain a greater appreciation of artificial light as an economic factor, as an artistic medium, and as a mightyinfluence upon the safety, efficiency, health, happiness, and general progress of mankind."    --M. Luckiesh.

Contents:

I Light and Progress  
II  The Art of Making Fire  
III  Primitive Light-Sources  
IV  The Ceremonial Use of Light  
V  Oil-Lamps of the Nineteenth Century  
VI  Early Gas-Lighting  
VII  The Science of Light-Production  
VIII  Modern Gas-Lighting  
IX  The Electric Arcs  
X  The Electric Incandescent Filament Lamps  
XI  The Light of the Future  
XII  Lighting the Streets  
XIII  Lighthouses  
XIV  Artificial Light in Warfare  
XV  Signaling  
XVI  The Cost of Light  
XVII  Light and Safety  
XVIII  The Cost of Living  
XIX  Artificial Light and Chemistry  
XX  Light and Health  
XXI  Modifying Artificial Light  
XXII  Spectacular Lighting  
XXIII  The Expressiveness of Light  
XXIV  Lighting the Home  
XXV  Lighting—A Fine Art?  

Artificial Light (ITS INFLUENCE UPON CIVILIZATION)

eBook Categories

Science & Technology

Science