Light Switch - History and Culture

History and Culture

The first light switch employing quick-break technology was invented by John Henry Holmes in 1884 in the Shieldfield district of Newcastle upon Tyne. The "quick-break" switch overcame the problem of a switch's contacts developing electric arcing whenever the circuit was opened or closed. Arcing would cause pitting on one contact and the build-up of residue on the other, and the switch's useful life would be diminished. Holmes' invention ensured that the contacts would fly apart or come together very quickly, however much or little pressure was exerted on the switch itself by the user. The action of this "quick break" meant that there was insufficient time for an arc to form, and the switch would thus have a long working life. This "quick break" technology is still in use in almost every ordinary light switch in the world today, numbering in the billions, as well as in many other forms of electric switch.

Holmes was also a prolific inventor of other electrical devices, including the "Castle" dynamo, early electrical systems in trains and the generation, lighting and searchlight systems which first allowed the Suez Canal to be safely operated at night, thus boosting its profitability due to the increased operating hours.

The toggle light switch was invented in 1917 by William J. Newton.

As a component of a building wiring system, installation of light switches will be regulated by some authority concerned with safety. The dimensions, mechanical designs, and even the general appearance of light switches changes very slowly with time. They frequently remain in service for many decades, often being changed only when a portion of a house is rewired. It is not extremely unusual to see century-old light switches still in functional use. Manufacturers introduce various new forms and styles, but for the most part decoration and fashion concerns are limited to the faceplates. Even the "modern" dimmer switch with knob is at least four decades old, and even in the newest construction the familiar toggle and rocker switch appearances predominate. The shape and size of the boxes and faceplates as well as what is integrated (for example in the UK it is normal to have the switch built into the plate) varies a lot by country.