Joseph Swan (1828-1914): A determined experimenter

Trained as a chemist, Swan's scientific activities spanned a wide range: from incandescent electric lamp, electroplating methods and electrolytic cells to photographic processing. Many of his inventions were of practical use. He took out more than 70 patents. He was elected F.R.S. in 1894 and knighted in 1904.

JOSEPH SWAN was born on October 31, 1828 in Sunderland (England). During his childhood, his parents permitted him to roam about Sunderland which developed in him a fascination for the busy industries that he saw.

Swan received meagre education: he attended a `dame school' run by three old ladies and from there proceeded to a large school under the direction of a Scottish Minister. He then started apprenticeship in a firm of druggists, which he could not complete due to the death of both partners. He then joined the chemical firm run by his brother-in-law, John Mawson. He was fascinated by science and engineering inventions.

One such lecture by W.E. Staite in 1845 awakened his interest in electric lighting. He began making filaments by cutting strips of cardboard and baking them at high temperature to produce a carbon fibre - often employing exotic recipes such as cooking with syrup of tar!

In 1860, Swan developed a primitive electric lamp that utilised a filament of carbonised paper in an evacuated glass bulb. The commercial success of the lamps depended on the production of a high degree of vacuum and of sufficient strength for the bulbs to be transported without damage. The problem was solved by Swan.

Through a newspaper advertisement, Swan came to know of the vacuum pump invented by the German chemist Hermann Sprengal and also Charles Stearn who was familiar with the technique of producing vacuum using Sprengel pump. Swan and Stearn found that if, after producing the best possible vacuum, a strong current was passed to make the filament brightly, and if the bulb was further evacuated, a fairly durable incandescent lamp was the end product.

Swan patented a process in which nitrocellulose (made by nitrating cotton) was extruded through a fine die to form artificial fibre. This also yielded a commercial process for synthetic fibre which the textile industry exploited.

Thomas Edison (1847-1931), the pioneer in electric lighting, developed an electric lamp on a principle similar to that of Swan and had already field a patent. So he started taking legal action against Swan but the case was dismissed. In 1880, after twenty years, both Edison and Swan produced a practical electric bulb. The Edison Swan Electric Light Company was born in 1883.

In the 1880's electricity had been successfully used for lighting but with arc lamps, which were powered by individual generators on the premises. No technique of sub-dividing electric light into small units had been devised. The commercial production of electric bulb in different sizes and in large numbers provided a great stimulus to the utilisation of electric power, first in public buildings, private residences and then in shops, factories, offices. Swan was not content with reaping the financial rewards of his invitation.

Swan produced a miner's electric safety lamp; this, though far too costly at that time, led to the production of the modern miner's lamp. As a by-product, he landed on a new lead battery, which would not spill acid.

While working in the chemical firm of his brother-in-law, Swan displayed his innovative capability by producing photographic chemicals. He developed keen interest in the photographic process, making an experimental study of the various methods. He developed in 1871 a new method of drying the wet photographic plates. In 1879, he invented the bromide printing paper, which laid the foundation for modern photography.

Swan held high offices in a number of professional societies. He received medals from the Royal Society, London and the Royal Photographic Society. He died in Warbingham, at the age of 85 (May 27, 1814).

R. Parthasarathy

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