Electric Light Demonstration, London, 1848

Staite's demonstration on the steps of the National Gallery. An easel was raised, beneath which were placed the battery and a small lamp. About a foot above the battery was the light produced burning upon two pieces of charcoal, backed by a single tin reflector, and the light enclosed within a glass case. Under his beam, the recently opened Trafalgar Square emerged from the gloom. So brilliant was the light that it was impossible to look at it for a length of time without a dazzling effect upon the eye, and the gas lamps appeared dim and insignificant in comparison, wrote one journalist. William Edwards Staite (April 19, 1809 - September 26, 1854) was an English inventor. He developed and patented a number of improved arc lamps. Primary batteries had to be used to power individual lamps, and batteries cost too much to be used for a permanent system. His Patent Electric Light Co. failed in 1850 after only a few years in business. He received little credit at the time for his work. This image has been colorized

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Bulb Illumination Staite Streetlamp Streetlight Trafalgar

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