description Warren de la Rue Overview
Warren de la Rue was a British astronomer and inventor associated with an early incandescent electric lamp. In 1840, he placed a coiled platinum filament inside a vacuum tube and passed an electric current through it, an arrangement that reduced oxidation compared with an exposed filament. His experiment is relevant to the history of electrical lighting and to the development of early lamp technology.
help Warren de la Rue FAQ
What did Warren de la Rue invent in 1840?
In 1840, Warren de la Rue placed a coiled platinum filament inside a vacuum tube and passed an electric current through it. The arrangement was an early incandescent electric lamp design.
Why did Warren de la Rue use platinum and a vacuum?
Platinum could tolerate very high temperatures, while the vacuum reduced the oxygen available to oxidize the filament. The design was technically promising but too expensive for practical mass production because platinum was costly.
Was Warren de la Rue also an astronomer?
Yes, de la Rue was a British astronomer, chemist, and inventor whose work extended beyond electric lighting. In 1850 he built a 13-inch reflecting telescope and became especially known for astronomical photography.
Did Warren de la Rue's lamp become a commercial competitor to Edison's bulb?
No, de la Rue's 1840 lamp was not commercially practical because of its platinum cost. Later commercial incandescent systems associated with Joseph Swan and Thomas Edison used more economical filament approaches.
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