Touch-sensitive lamp
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A touch-sensitive lamp is one that is activated by human touch rather than a flip, pushbutton, or other mechanical switch. These lamps are popular as desk and nightstand lamps. They act on the principle of body capacitance. Touch-sensitive lamp switches may be dimmable, allowing the brightness of the lamp to be adjusted by multiple touches. Most stop at level 3, which is for the brightest use.
A key patent was published in 1954,[1][2] and commercial models became available by at least 1955,[3] however due to the nature of electrical circuits of the time having low electrical efficiency as they were vacuum tube based, and the high price of the product, it was not popularized until the 1980's.[citation needed]
The later versions of the mechanism used integrated circuits and transistors as opposed to the 1954 "Aladdin Lamps" patent.
These lamps contain an oscillator that changes frequency when the metallic plate is touched.
See also
References
- ^ US 2810066A, Green, Norman, "Lamp and control means therefor", published 1954-08-05, issued 1957-10-15
- ^ Office, United States Patent (1959). Official Gazette of the United States Patent Office. U.S. Department of Commerce.
- ^ Inc, Kiplinger Washington Editors (May 1955). Kiplinger's Personal Finance. Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc.
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External links
- HowStuffWorks question: How do touch-sensitive lamps work?
- Video: "The touch lamp; a neat idea, and older than you'd think!" by Technology Connections
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