Sir Joseph Wilson Swan

Swan, Sir Joseph Wilson

Swan, Sir Joseph Wilson (1828–1914). Born at Sunderland and educated in local schools, Swan was apprenticed to a local pharmacist. In his spare time he carried out electrical and other experiments. He attended lectures and read scientific books and journals at the Sunderland Athenaeum, before moving to Newcastle upon Tyne, where he became a partner in a pharmacy. A photographic business and a scientific instruments department were soon added. Swan invented an improved photographic printing technique, the ‘Carbon Process’ (1864) and the ‘Bromide Paper’ (1879), which is still in use. In December 1878 and February 1879 he demonstrated his first incandescent electric bulbs. To provide his lamp filaments, Swan invented the first synthetic fibre. Legal disputes between the Swan and Edison lighting interests were solved by creating a joint venture. Swan lived in the south of England from 1883; he received many honours, including fellowship of the Royal Society in 1894 and a knighthood in 1904.

Norman McCord

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Swan, Sir Joseph Wilson

Swan, Sir Joseph Wilson (1828–1914). Born at Sunderland and educated in local schools, Swan was apprenticed to a local pharmacist. At Newcastle upon Tyne he became a partner in a pharmacy. A photographic business and a scientific instruments department were soon added. Swan invented an improved photographic printing technique, which is still in use. In December 1878 and February 1879 he demonstrated his first incandescent electric bulbs. Legal disputes between the Swan and Edison lighting interests were solved by creating a joint venture.

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JOHN CANNON. "Swan, Sir Joseph Wilson." A Dictionary of British History. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JOHN CANNON. "Swan, Sir Joseph Wilson." A Dictionary of British History. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O43-SwanSirJosephWilson.html

JOHN CANNON. "Swan, Sir Joseph Wilson." A Dictionary of British History. 2004. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O43-SwanSirJosephWilson.html

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Sir Joseph Wilson Swan

Sir Joseph Wilson Swan 1828–1914, English chemist and physicist. He made an incandescent lamp using a carbon filament (1860), 20 years before Edison's lamp. Noted for important contributions to photography as well, he devised the first commercially practical process for carbon printing, introduced the dry plate, and invented bromide paper. Swan also experimented with the production of man-made fibers. He was knighted in 1904.

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"Sir Joseph Wilson Swan." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

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