Glowing Plant

Ethical considerations aside, the "Glowing Plant Project"  is a noble endeavor with very significant ramifications to energy use.

Using the concept of bio-luminescence the "Glowing Plant Project" is working toward creating, literally, a natural light source. They are doing this by splicing the genes that control bio-luminescence in a bacteria into the DNA of a plant.

These plants, once they are perfected, could be used to light city streets and sidewalks. They can be used as decoration in your yard. They could be a nightlight for the kids. And all the while they use no electricity and act as a carbon sink.

Light is the thing that we, as modern humans, seek as much as food. But light uses a huge amount of power and, very often, is wasted (i.e. city lights on empty roads). Creating a passive, biological system that provides light for any number of situations is an idea that can radically change the way we deal with the dark.

The Electric Light Bulb

What site dedicated to design could leave out the electric light bulb. This device fundamentally

changed the way we live our life.

When Edison started down the road to creating the light-bulb he had one thought in mind. A cheap and a safe way to provide light. The lamps that were used at the time were dirty, expensive to fuel, and

caused the destruction of property on a regular basis.

The light bulb was a nearly perfect solution. It was cheap, and produced a smooth consistent light. The infrastructure was also easier to install than gas. Wires are far more durable than pipes and less prone to explosions or leaks. 

And as far as asthetics, the lightbulb is almost spherical. (the world's favorite shape) Plus imagine the experience that is offered. By flipping a switch some mysterious force made light come into the room. It was akin the telephone. No one could really understand it. So it was an amazing thing to own at the time because it was magical.

Few products have been as perfect as the light bulb. When you think about it it is the perfect product. Cheap, easy to use, well shaped, and offering an experience that nothing else in the world can and has a twist that people can't comprehend. And setting a standard for over and hundred years ans still going.