The Open Door Web Site
Sir Joseph Wilson Swan (1828-1914)
space

Sir Joseph Wilson Swan

Joseph Swan started his working life as an assistant to a Sunderland pharmacist. Swan later became an assistant at a chemical manufacturing company in Newcastle. He eventually worked his way up to a full partnership in the business.

Between 1871 and 1904, Swan was responsible for many important scientific discoveries. He invented bromide paper, for use in photography. He first experimented with carbon filament lamps twenty years before Thomas Edison, but the technology of the day did not allow him to obtain the vacuum needed inside the glass bulb.

Swan went on to improve vacuum technology and develop the first practical light bulb. His investigations into carbon filament development led him, quite accidentally, to the discovery of an artificial fibre. In 1885, Swan exhibited the first articles of clothing made entirely from artificial fibre. In 1904, Joseph Swan received a knighthood for his contribution to science and technology.

Homepage

Topic Chapters Index

>Topic Chapters

Living History Project

Biographies

Events Index

Tips on Studying History

Glossary of Terms

Listings, Recognitions and Awards

EABJM Teachers' Resource Centre

EABJM Public Web Site

This Site was last
updated on 11/11/07
© The Open Door Team
Any questions or problems regarding this site should be addressed to the webmaster

©  Shirley Burchill, Nigel Hughes, Peter Price and Keith Woodall 2007

Footnote : As far as the Open Door team can ascertain the image shown on this page is in the Public Domain.