A classic celebrates its birthday

The modern energy-saving bulb with integrated, electronic ballast turns 25

Energy-saving bulbs were regarded as a clever alternative long before normal light bulbs were gradually phased out: the German invention from OSRAM celebrates its 25th birthday in 2010. In 1985 Alfred Wacker, the head of marketing in OSRAM at the time, and his team presented the first energy-saving bulb with integrated, electronic ballast at the Hannover Messe Industrie. A breakthrough not just for research but also consumers. Because German consumers alone can now save around 2 billion euros each year.

Martin Bachler (left) and Alfred Wacker (right) present some of the latest energy-saving bulbs and one of the very first bulbs.

Source: OSRAM

The first energy-saving bulbs were operated with a heavy and bulky magnetic ballast that controlled the flow of current. OSRAM only initiated their widespread acceptance and distribution in 1985 through the miniaturisation of the ballast and its integration in the base of the bulb. Alfred Wacker, one of the father's of this source of light, remembers it well: "The development of the first energy-saving bulb with integrated, electronic ballast was a phenomenal experience for us. Being able to save up to 80 percent of energy was like a revolution in lighting. It's like a car that only burns two litres of fuel instead of ten. And being in on such a development is simply the best thing that can happen to an engineer."

The energy consumption was exceptionally low from the very beginning. But energy-saving bulbs have come a long way in terms of design, comfort and colour temperature since 1985. Whereas the first bulb was 20 cm long, or almost twice as long as a normal bulb, today's energy-saving bulbs start from 8 cm in length. And it took a number of years before the first energy-saving bulbs appeared on the market in the familiar pear and candle shapes. In the meantime, energy-saving bulbs are available in all common shapes and colour temperatures to cater for every taste. The relatively long warm-up time is also a thing of the past thanks to the new, patented Quick Light technology.

Innovation leader in colour temperature

Today the light manufacturer offers the widest choice of energy-efficient lighting in the world and keeps coming up with new innovations. "The new colour temperature "warm comfort light" is a further milestone in the evolution of lamps. It combines maximum energy efficiency with a warm light very similar to that of incadescent bulbs. This just goes to show how far the energy-saving bulb has come over the past few years", says Martin Bachler, Marketing Manager Energy-Saving Bulbs at OSRAM.

ABOUT OSRAM

OSRAM (Munich) is part of the Industry Sector at Siemens and is one of the two leading light manufacturers in the world. In the business year 2009 it made a turnover of 4 billion euros, 88 percent of this outside Germany. OSRAM is a high-tech company in the light industry: Over 65 percent of its turnover today comes from low-energy products. The very internationally aligned company employs around 39,000 people around the world, supplies customers in roughly 150 countries and produces in 46 manufacturing plants in 17 countries (30 September). www.osram.de

Press contact:

OSRAM

Nadine Kleinert
Tel: +49-89-6213-3769
Fax: +49-89-6213-3457
Email: n.kleinert@osram.com