GE Lighting About GE Lighting We’ve introduced a new light age of lighting. Because just like the difference between telephones and smartphones, we’re asking light to do more for you—helping you easily create perfectly lit spaces and smart environments to live, work, and play. The future of lighting is here. 130 years of innovation 1800s 1879 – Edison invents the first commercial incandescent lamp made of Carbon Filament. 1880 – Edison completes the world’s first installation of incandescent lights on the S.S. Columbia steamship. 1890 – Edison General Electric Company is formed. 1892 – Machine-molded incandescent bulbs replace hand-blown bulbs. 1900-1930 1909 – William D. Coolidge develops the ductile tungsten filament, still used today. 1911 – GE’s existing lighting business absorbs National Electric Lamp Association (NELA). 1929 – GE installs the first major application of electronic lighting controls at the Chicago Civic Opera. Thomas Edison & GE Thomas Edison is heralded for his genius as an inventor. Less known is his brilliance as a business pioneer. By aligning multiple businesses to bring innovation to the marketplace, he laid the path for today’s GE. History of Nela Park It began in 1879 when Edison invented the carbon filament lamp. The General Electric Company was formed by merging the Edison Electric Company and the Thomson Houston Company on April 15, 1892. Meet our family of innovation. Smart lighting. Smarter home. The finishing touch for every room. Efficiency is now everywhere. LEGAL Privacy Terms Accessibility Cookies GE CORPORATE Corporate GE Careers Investor Information GE LIGHTING Pressroom About GE Lighting Site Map Full Product Catalog FAQs Professional Products Product Safety Information WORLDWIDE PARTNER CONNECT WITH US EN FR 1997-2018 © Copyright General Electric Company