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Flat Lightbulb Solves all Thomas Edison’s Problems with Two Cuts
When I think of light bulbs, I think of how hot they are, how they give me light at night, and how easy they are to break! From Joonhuyn Kim, displayed at the 2008 100% Design Tokyo, here is “Flat Bulb.” Better for stacking and shipping, no rolling away on you, and the best: aesthetically ironic. Simply fantastic!
But why not make a bulb with a whacky new shape, you may ask? Well, let me tell you, we discussed this sort of thing way back a few weeks ago when we spoke about the [LED Light Bulb]; at length. The truth of the matter is: light bulbs that are innovative, cheap, energy efficient, and every wonderful thing you can imagine, still sells less units than the bulbs with the classic light bulb shape, by a lot!
So, lets see if a certain blue-and-yellow Swedish “home products retailer” picks this design up so I can just hop on over to the Mall of America and pick one up! Or better yet, a bunch.
EDIT: Originally this post was titled “Flat Lightbulb Solves all Benjamin Franklin’s Problems with Two Cuts” until our friendly Jason told me that it makes much more sense to use the inventor of the light bulb for the title, not the harnesser of electricity. Thus Thomas Edison replaces ol’ Ben.
Designer: Joonhuyn Kim [ Via Gizmodo & Designboom ]
96 Comments »
paul sandip says
how does it fit into normal bulb holders?
Christine says
i think as long as it has width/length that normal sized bulb, it can fit to be in place but probably have gaps on the side. like signal key for power outlets on architectural drawing.
joonhyun kim says
sure..
ahmad says
You only need the sides, the other half of the circle turns in the air, but the other half is all you need, this is a genious idea.
StanJoukIsHot says
looks good tho..
Shane says
it fits in just fine. it's a partial thread is all.
zippyflounder says
now if the lauded frog had done that with their LED lamp, I would be impressed, but noooooooooo same form factor and some sprinkles on top.
powers says
yeah, good call.
Armin says
cheap gimmick.
Also production costs might be greater…
Filippo says
I think the main problem is in the glass, too thin, and too close to the filament.. being a incandescence bulb the very high temperatures will break it..
B A says
What problems does this solve exactly, other than a desire for "design" masturbation?
Incandescent tungsten-based bulbs are inefficent and should be left to die.
crap.
Looneydoo says
I would have agreed with you if the motto of the website hadn't been "form beyond function"
Not that I advocate the product, but it's interesting to look at it. Sometimes you need stuff like these to have a fresh approach.
ahmad says
It serves packaging and transportation needs, can you imagine how much they'll save on transportation space? They can now fit around 3 bulbs where they used to fit one. And it doesn't matter if the filament is to close to the glass, it's probably a better glass, they certainly must of thought about it when they desined the concept. I personally think it's a great idea.
paul sandip says
how does it fit into normal bulb holders?
StanJoukIsHot says
looks good tho..
Shane says
it fits in just fine. it's a partial thread is all.
zippyflounder says
now if the lauded frog had done that with their LED lamp, I would be impressed, but noooooooooo same form factor and some sprinkles on top.
Armin says
cheap gimmick.
Also production costs might be greater…
Filippo says
I think the main problem is in the glass, too thin, and too close to the filament.. being a incandescence bulb the very high temperatures will break it..
B A says
What problems does this solve exactly, other than a desire for “design” masturbation?
Incandescent tungsten-based bulbs are inefficent and should be left to die.
crap.
Looneydoo says
I would have agreed with you if the motto of the website hadn't been “form beyond function”
Not that I advocate the product, but it's interesting to look at it. Sometimes you need stuff like these to have a fresh approach.
Conall says
Neglecting all else, I've got to say this bulb looks pretty dang cool (of course it wouldn't if it was seen all over the place), but it definitely caught my eye. Now I'd like to see cool new lamps designed around this, unfortunately sticking to the "screw in" style bulb means the lamp will need to provide space to spin the bulbs in and out.
http://www.chickenmonkeydog.com
Victor says
"the lamp will need to provide space to spin the bulbs in and out."
Not necessarily… I can think of one or two ways of inserting and removing without spinning it.
Henrique Staino says
De facto, incandescent bulbs aren´t efficient, and shouldn't deserve our time. But this is an interesting idea, that can be used in future forms of bulbs.
Now, think with me: the two flat surfaces generate two edges on the glass.. Don't those edges interfere with the lighting? Because if I can remember, old car lights used the same logic to deflect the light from the eyes of the other driver.
Conall says
Neglecting all else, I've got to say this bulb looks pretty dang cool (of course it wouldn't if it was seen all over the place), but it definitely caught my eye. Now I'd like to see cool new lamps designed around this, unfortunately sticking to the “screw in” style bulb means the lamp will need to provide space to spin the bulbs in and out.
” target=”_blank”>http://www.chickenmonkeydog.com
Henrique Staino says
De facto, incandescent bulbs arent efficient, and shouldn't deserve our time. But this is an interesting idea, that can be used in future forms of bulbs.
Now, think with me: the two flat surfaces generate two edges on the glass.. Don't those edges interfere with the lighting? Because if I can remember, old car lights used the same logic to deflect the light from the eyes of the other driver.
Jerome says
first of all, the glass seems thicker then normal bulbs, it won't break or melt the glass.
secondo, You can fit more bulb in a box then normal bulb. Think about it, side by side you fit ~6 of them instead of only 2! That save cartboard
It won't roll and fall on the floor when you put them on the table
it is a gimmick and I love it
it has potentiel!
ps- I just realise that everything I said was already said in the fisrt line of the article. It simply prove that I don't read and only look at pictures!
Carl says
in the uk it has already been anounced that these lamps are being phased out.. investing in this idea would be like backing a lame horse..! next time try this approach with a product in its infancy..!
ahmad says
What's wrong with them??
zuy says
great comments !!!
SlicedBread says
Although this design my at first look dramatic and asethetically unusual, I feel the idea of designing a product to increase the sales of incandescent light bulbs is madness for any designer in todays world. They are extremely inefficient and we should be designing to irradicate them.
Jerome says
first of all, the glass seems thicker then normal bulbs, it won't break or melt the glass.
secondo, You can fit more bulb in a box then normal bulb. Think about it, side by side you fit ~6 of them instead of only 2! That save cartboard
It won't roll and fall on the floor when you put them on the table
it is a gimmick and I love it
it has potentiel!
ps- I just realise that everything I said was already said in the fisrt line of the article. It simply prove that I don't read and only look at pictures!
Carl says
in the uk it has already been anounced that these lamps are being phased out.. investing in this idea would be like backing a lame horse..! next time try this approach with a product in its infancy..!
zuy says
great comments !!!
SlicedBread says
Although this design my at first look dramatic and asethetically unusual, I feel the idea of designing a product to increase the sales of incandescent light bulbs is madness for any designer in todays world. They are extremely inefficient and we should be designing to irradicate them.
Victor says
“the lamp will need to provide space to spin the bulbs in and out.”
Not necessarily… I can think of one or two ways of inserting and removing without spinning it.
Christine says
i think as long as it has width/length that normal sized bulb, it can fit to be in place but probably have gaps on the side. like signal key for power outlets on architectural drawing.
joonhyun kim says
sure..
ahmad says
You only need the sides, the other half of the circle turns in the air, but the other half is all you need, this is a genious idea.
ahmad says
It serves packaging and transportation needs, can you imagine how much they'll save on transportation space? They can now fit around 3 bulbs where they used to fit one. And it doesn't matter if the filament is to close to the glass, it's probably a better glass, they certainly must of thought about it when they desined the concept. I personally think it's a great idea.
ahmad says
What's wrong with them??
Eric says
Amazing idea, get rid of crap round ones and replace it with these now! We can convert them to better LED tech later, get people buying them now! Ingenious.
Eric says
Amazing idea, get rid of crap round ones and replace it with these now! We can convert them to better LED tech later, get people buying them now! Ingenious.
Munwar Khan says
Looking really great… but (after "but" there is always main thing).. It is like same old dead body in new coffin… Just leave it.It is dead…
Munwar Khan says
Looking really great… but (after “but” there is always main thing).. It is like same old dead body in new coffin… Just leave it.It is dead…
powers says
yeah, good call.
Jeff says
Thomas Edison didn't invent the light bulb. He invented the incandescent light bulb by using tungsten as the filament.
Eric says
There is kind of a discrepancy in saying that…
To explain: You are correct to say he discovered a more efficient method by using tungsten. Yes the “electric light” was conceived before him, but nobody encased it in an oxygen free glass bulb. Hence the term “light bulb.” So he did invent the light bulb, but not the electric light. Humphry Davy invented the electric light… Understand the difference?
Jeff says
Thomas Edison didn't invent the light bulb. He invented the incandescent light bulb by using tungsten as the filament.
HackOblog says
Joseph swan invented the light bulb not Thomas Edison’s
Chris says
But Thomas Jefferson is more well known for “inventing” it most people do not even know who Swan is i have only heard his name mentioned a few times myself most by my science teachers who were correcting the books
HackOblog says
Its all about country of origin I'm from the UK so I got told Joseph Swan , its the same with TV Paul Schatzkin or John Logie Baird.
riarunde says
Edison didn't invent the lightbulb either, it was Joseph Swan of Newcastle, England
riarunde says
Edison didn't invent the lightbulb either, it was Joseph Swan of Newcastle, England
Brandon says
Humphry Davy invented the light bulb.
Dan says
wrong
Brandon says
Humphry Davy invented the light bulb.
Dan says
wrong
Mike says
Of course – only americans think Edison invented the light bulb….
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Swan
chilla says
Damnit I see your point, but next time use a reliable source
c bah says
I hate the arrogance of Europe and how they think Americans consistently believe they made everything
Mike says
Of course – only americans think Edison invented the light bulb….
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Swan
chilla says
Damnit I see your point, but next time use a reliable source
c bah says
I hate the arrogance of Europe and how they think Americans consistently believe they made everything
Steve says
What's so ironic about this lightbulb's aesthetics?
matt says
it isnt a bulb, maybe?
Steve says
What's so ironic about this lightbulb's aesthetics?
matt says
it isnt a bulb, maybe?
kirk says
I have a revolutionary buggy whip design but it was outdated by
LED light bulbs too…
Thomas says
Edison worked to help make it more efficient.
He never said anything in the article about Edison creating it.
Tom says
" EDIT: Originally this post was titled “Flat Lightbulb Solves all Benjamin Franklin’s Problems with Two Cuts” until our friendly Jason told me that it makes much more sense to use the inventor of the light bulb for the title, not the harnesser of electricity. Thus Thomas Edison replaces ol’ Ben."
Inventor – creator of. You could have just read the article and saved me the hassle of quoting it to you.
kirk says
I have a revolutionary buggy whip design but it was outdated by
LED light bulbs too…
Thomas says
Edison worked to help make it more efficient.
He never said anything in the article about Edison creating it.
Tom says
” EDIT: Originally this post was titled “Flat Lightbulb Solves all Benjamin Franklin’s Problems with Two Cuts” until our friendly Jason told me that it makes much more sense to use the inventor of the light bulb for the title, not the harnesser of electricity. Thus Thomas Edison replaces ol’ Ben.”
Inventor – creator of. You could have just read the article and saved me the hassle of quoting it to you.
Guest says
OK technically Edison didn't invent the light bulb. He did, however, perfect it and successfully market it. So he rightly gets a lot of credit.
Guest says
OK technically Edison didn't invent the light bulb. He did, however, perfect it and successfully market it. So he rightly gets a lot of credit.
@Hermitbiker says
….. actually there were a list of 22 others before Swan or Edison, check this out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_lightbulb%27s_tr... !!
@Hermitbiker says
….. actually there were a list of 22 others before Swan or Edison, check this out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_lightbulb%27s_tr... !!
bob says
Light distribution issues?
bob says
Light distribution issues?
derp says
Edison invented the incandescent lightbulb, but lightbulbs had been around for a while – he made it a bit more useful.
derp says
Edison invented the incandescent lightbulb, but lightbulbs had been around for a while – he made it a bit more useful.
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