09/23/2022
On this day in Patent History, the patent for the Flash Bulb was issued to Johannes Ostermeier of Germany on September 23, 1930.
The Flash Bulb significantly improved access to photography for amateur photographers. Previously, professional photographers had to use Flash Powder to ignite a Flash Lamp in order to create an explosion for light. This explosive method was way more dangerous and led to injury or death if mishandled.
The Flash Bulb Patent was assigned to the General Electric Company for sale and became an instant commercial success.