lamP

A lamp is a device that produces artificial light. In modern times, lamps are typically powered by electricity, but they have a long history that includes oil, kerosene, and gas as fuels. A lamp generally consists of a light source mounted on a base or fixture, and may include a shade or diffuser to control glare.

Historically, open-flame oil lamps were common in antiquity and the medieval period; gas lighting became widespread in the 19th century; the development of electric incandescent lamps in the late 19th century, followed by fluorescent and LED technologies, transformed domestic and industrial illumination.

Modern lamps are categorized by power source and technology. Electric lamps include incandescent (less common now), fluorescent, high-intensity discharge (HID), and light-emitting diode (LED) lamps. Fuel-based lamps include oil, kerosene, and gas lamps.

Components: a lamp usually has a base or stand, a socket to hold a light source, a switch, wiring, and may include a shade or diffuser. LEDs have drivers; bulbs may be replaceable or integrated.

Operation: incandescent lamps heat a filament until it glows; LEDs emit light via semiconductors; fluorescent lamps generate ultraviolet inside the tube and excite phosphor to produce visible light.

Safety and efficiency: modern lamps emphasize energy efficiency and long life. Incandescent bulbs use more energy; LEDs are energy-efficient and long-lived. Lamps generate heat and must be positioned away from flammable materials; disposal varies by technology; fluorescent lamps may contain small amounts of mercury and require proper recycling.