Blog

We like to bring you the most up-to-date news from the wonderful, vibrant world of LED Lighting, so here’s the first of our weekly roundups, giving you the lowdown on everything that’s going on.

I Could've Been A Contender!

Creator of the LED, Nick Holonyak Jr., features in the number one spot on the BBC's list of 10 Inventors Who Didn’t Get Mega-Rich From Their Inventions.

Holonyak said, "It's ridiculous to think that somebody owes you something. We're lucky to be alive, when it comes down to it."

Also included on the list are Mikhail Kalashnikov, the inventor of the AK-47 assault rifle, and Sir Tim Berners-Lee, who’s credited with the invention of the worldwide web., so at least Holonyak’s in good company...isn’t he?

Lighting To Overtake Mobile Phones As Largest LED Driver IC Sector This Year

An article from Electronics News reveals that “Lighting this year will overtake mobile phones as the biggest application for LED driver ICs (Integrated Circuits), with revenue rising by more than 50% annually, and more than doubling by 2018.

LEDs have been adopted by phone manufacturers for flash photography capabilities, which will drive shipments to 2.2 billion units by 2018, up from 1.3 billion in 2012.”

NYC’s Empire State Building Lights Up For 4th Of July Celebrations

The Empire State Building wowed audiences with its new LED lighting system on Tuesday for the 4th of July celebrations in the U.S.

The lights, capable of producing millions of colours, were programmed to mirror the finale of the Macys’ 4th of July fireworks display taking place across the Hudson river and choreographed to Sinatra’s 'New York, New York' and 'Empire State of Mind by Alicia Keys.'

As you’ll see from this video, the results were nothing short of spectacular!

LED Lighting Lowers Suicide Rate In South Korea

South Korea has one of the highest suicide rates in the world, which have, according to the WHO (World Health Organisation), doubled in the last decade.

The Mapo Bridge in the nation’s capital, Seoul, is the place from which dozens of South Koreans jump to their death every year.

In an effort to combat the problem, Cheil Worldwide has created the "Bridge of Life" which is a sensor and LED-based system that sends out messages of hope.

Over the course of eighteen months, 2,200 sensors and LED (Light-Emitting Diode) lights have been embedded within the bridge railings.

When the sensors detect a person drawing near, lights which have been approved by suicide prevention groups, flash messages, including "How have you been?," "What is troubling you?," and "Just go and see the person you miss."

To date, the system has been a great success, reducing the suicide rate on the bridge by an incredible 77%.

Carnivorous LED Street Lights Appear In Portland, Oregon.

And finally, these bizarre LED street lights have been attracting a lot of attention from pedestrians and road users alike in the U.S. city of Portland, Oregon.

The unusual, solar-powered lights have been designed by Seattle-based artist Dan Corsan to resemble Nepenthes. For those that aren’t members of the ICPS (International Carnivorous Plant Society), Nepenthes are flesh-eating plants that use photovoltaic light to attract bugs and other small critters.

Kristi in Arts, a Portland public art blog, notes that, "The goal is for the sculptures to create an inviting pathway leading people from the Pearl District into Old Town,” and then adds, "Not only do they look fantastic, but they are powered by solar and run LED lights. Nice work, Portland!”

Don't forget to check out the Wholesale LED Lights website, where you'll find literally hundreds of LED lighting solutions and accessories.

You’ll also find many more stories like this on our Facebook and Twitter pages, so why not pop on over there and leave us a comment?

Tune in next week for more LED light-related news!