Hardly any other technology has recently enjoyed such an intensive entry into everyday life as LED lights. The light-emitting diodes – what the abbreviation LED stands for – determine the lighting concept in countless households. With his discovery of the semiconductor principle in 1876, the German physicist and electrical engineer Karl Ferdinand Braun laid the foundation for it.
At that time, no one suspected that this principle would one day be decisive for LED technology. A lot has happened since then. Here is a brief overview:
- 1907: Henry Joseph Round discovered that inorganic substances glow when subjected to a voltage.
- 1935: Georges Destriau happened to notice the development of light when strong electric fields are applied.
- 1962: The first red LEDs were used for signal transmission.
- 1968: Mass production of red LED lights began.
- 1990s: LEDs are used for the first time as light sources as we know them today.
The initial areas of application of the LED lights
In the beginning, LED lights were mainly found in the military sector. For example, they were used as background lighting in the cockpits of military aircraft. This was not yet LED technology in the sense that we know it today. However, this was the first practical application of luminous effects created by applying a voltage to inorganic materials.
With the development of the first red LED lights, the area of application slowly expanded. They gradually replaced glow lamps, were used in pocket calculators, and even adorned the dials of wristwatches. At that time, the light output of LED lights was only 0.1 lumens per watt. This corresponds to about one-hundredth of the power that an incandescent bulb produces.
Over the years, it has been possible to significantly increase the light output. The constantly increasing quality of the semiconductor layers was decisive for this. For example, transparent substrates were used, the transition between the semiconductor layers was improved and impurities were minimized.
The red light wasn’t enough
Intensive work was also done on generating light of a different color. A way had to be found to cover the short-wave range of radiation. Other semiconductors came into play, initially to generate blue and later also green to ultraviolet light.
The Japanese produced the first white LED lights in 1995. They added yellow phosphor to blue LED lights. Just two years later, the white lights were available for purchase. White light can also be achieved by mixing red, green, and blue light. This is referred to as the RGB principle.
But no matter which method the white light is produced with: At the time, it represented an enormous breakthrough in LED technology. Numerous new areas of application opened up. LEDs can now be found in almost all areas of life. We encounter them on the way to work as lamps in traffic lights. As part of car headlights, they illuminate the road in the dark.
We even hold them in our hands every day, in our smartphones. Even when we visit the doctor, we come across LED lights. For example, doctors can measure the oxygen saturation in the blood with infrared LEDs. The dentist, on the other hand, hardens plastic fillings with UV light from LEDs.
What are the advantages of LED lights?
It is hardly surprising that LED lights are increasingly finding their way into everyday life. Because they bring numerous advantages. First and foremost is the low power consumption. The ecological balance of LEDs is very positive because they consume up to ten times less electricity than conventional light bulbs.
Despite this low consumption, the light yield is quite impressive. Compared to the beginnings in 1962, this has increased more than a thousandfold. The LED lights available today achieve up to 200 lumens per watt.
But let’s get back to the life cycle assessment. In this regard, it should also be mentioned that LEDs do not require any mercury or other hazardous substances. If a lamp containing mercury breaks, there is an increased health risk. This is completely eliminated with LED lights.
LEDs also impress with their easy handling. They can be changed quickly and easily because they fit into conventional sockets. Thanks to their long service life of up to 50,000 hours, they even shine for decades. They therefore only need to be replaced very rarely. That’s why LED lights are also used in your own four walls.
Areas of application of LED lights in the private sector
Whether living room or garden – LED lights can be used in many ways. Their small size and yet high luminosity make them so popular. Indirect lighting of furniture or special pieces of jewelry in the house is one of the most common areas of application for LEDs in the private sphere. But a lot more is possible with the small lights.
Staircase lighting with LEDs is one of the trends because they create a very special visual appeal. The possibilities here are almost unlimited. For example, the small lights can be attached to the individual steps, but also to the sides of the stairs. In the evening and at night, they provide a pleasant light that makes going up and down the stairs safer.
Of course, LED lights can also be used as ceiling lights. These lights pay off especially in small rooms because they make it appear larger. The reason for this is the small installation depths and the narrow versions of the LED lamps. Whether in living or damp rooms: LEDs can be used anywhere.
Thanks to their narrow design, as already mentioned, the lights can be optimally integrated into the overall picture. But that doesn’t mean that you have to do without an eye-catching look if you want it. Equipped with swiveling built-in spotlights, the LED lamps attract everyone’s attention.
Since LEDs are dimmable, their luminosity can be individually adjusted to current needs at any time. They can provide very bright light when cooking in the kitchen, and less intense light when reading comfortably in the living room.
Always perfectly adapted to the current needs
On closer inspection, we realize that the kitchen is not only a place for preparing food, but also for social gatherings. Thanks to the LED lights, the individual areas can be optimally illuminated. The work surface is brightly illuminated, while the dining area or sideboard can be immersed in atmospheric light.
LEDs can pleasantly illuminate the dining table, for example in the form of pendant lights. They hang from the ceiling and direct the light to the table. They are therefore also ideal for illuminating desks, craft tables for children, and more.
LEDs can be used just as well outdoors. As path lights, recessed floor lights, or facade lighting, they illuminate the garden and the entrance area. The lights can be linked to motion sensors so they only turn on when needed. Due to the long service life of LEDs and the associated low maintenance requirements, they are made for places that are difficult to access.
Stylish light effects can be created outdoors with LEDs. For a particularly high level of security, LED lights with powerful white light can be used. They reliably illuminate the often dark garden, so that even corners that are difficult to see are illuminated.
High quality, efficient and sustainable: The LED strips from LED Strips World
As the market leader in the field of LEDs, we offer you solutions that are precisely tailored to your personal needs. Your satisfaction is our top priority. That’s why we put the highest efficiency into all our projects, pay attention to sustainability, and always offer the best quality.
LEDs are increasingly finding their way into all of our lives. Due to the increased volume, sustainability is an important issue. Our LED strips give you up to 200,000 hours of pleasure and of course, contain no mercury. This ensures a very positive ecological balance.
Disposable products have no place with us. We also rely on fair trade, long-term cooperation, and high-quality raw materials. This is what makes our products so special. We would now like to introduce a few of them to you in more detail. Discover the QLF LED and QLF Pro LED strips as well as our Cosmic floor lamp. All of them will give you a light for decades.
