2006-11-29 04:37:39 · 7 answers · asked by ASHERS 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
Granville T. Woods. See attached, it has his patent on the dimmer "system of electrical distribution (#569443)
2006-11-29 04:49:22 · answer #1 · answered by chemistrymagic 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The earliest safe dimmer switch - used in the theater
was invented by Granville Woods in the 1890's.
2006-11-29 12:45:10 · answer #2 · answered by sexylittlemisstweetybird83 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Dimmers were always controlled by rheostats to change the voltage and hence the light.
The modern house type change the frequency from 50 cycles per second to whatever is needed to dim the light. circa 1960.
This interrupted supply allows the filament to cool and thus generates less light without changing the load characteristics.
It will not work with fluorescent lighting as that needs 50cps to operated at all.
2006-11-30 09:42:39 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The principle of the dimmer switch is basically a rheostat or variable resistor. The rheostat was allegedly invented by Sir Charles Wheatstone (1802 - 1875), I'm unsure when he invented the device.
2006-11-29 12:49:31 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Granville Woods originated the concept for theater lighting in the 1890's, along with many other inventions for controlling the flow of electricity.
The electronic dimmer switch, as we know it today, was invented/developed by Joel Spira in 1961
See
http://www.askthebuilder.com/B414_Dimmer_Switches.shtml
and
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Granville_Woods
http://www.essortment.com/home/dimmerswitchli_sagl.htm
2006-11-29 12:51:23 · answer #5 · answered by belmyst 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
By Grainville Woods in the early 1890's, in a theater.
2006-11-29 12:40:59 · answer #6 · answered by motroo 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't know who invented it. But I do know people still have not figured out how to use it.
Former truck driver.
2006-11-29 12:39:53 · answer #7 · answered by bubbles_grandpa 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋