The Amazing History of Light: From Fire to LED

A fascinating journey through the history of lighting, discovery and human ingenuity.

Have you ever wondered how people lit their homes before electricity? How did ancient civilisations find their way in the dark? And how did we go from flickering flames to the amazing LED lights we use today?

Join a friendly scientist and his curious young explorer on an exciting adventure through thousands of years of lighting history.

Beginning with the Sun, our greatest natural source of light, the story travels back to prehistoric times when humans discovered how to use fire for warmth, cooking and illumination. From primitive torches and early oil lamps to candles, lanterns, gas lighting, electric light bulbs and modern LEDs, each chapter reveals another remarkable step in humanity's quest to conquer darkness.

Along the way, young readers will discover how different lights work, why they were invented, and how they transformed the way people lived, worked and explored the world.

Filled with colourful, detailed illustrations, entertaining conversations, fascinating historical facts and easy-to-understand scientific explanations, this beautifully illustrated 72-page book brings the history of lighting to life.

Designed for children aged 5-10, it encourages curiosity, imagination and a love of science, technology and history.

More than just a story about light, this is a celebration of human curiosity, creativity and the wonderful inventions that have helped illuminate our world.

Because every great discovery begins with a question!

Scott Gracie had a fascination with light and the electromagnetic spectrum from his early teens while tinkering with electronics as a hobby. After finishing high school in Sydney Australia, he studied Electrical and Electronics, which formally introduced him to the lighting industry.In 1998, Scott started his career building custom light fittings and lamps in his father's garage. Formal lighting design qualifications later expanded his opportunities into project management and design across many levels of the lighting industry, and over twenty-five years on, he has worked on infrastructure, commercial and architectural lighting projects throughout Australia. Scott Gracie is a member of the Illuminating Engineering Society of Australia & New Zealand, the Colour Society of Australia, the International Dark Sky Association, the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, and the Australian division of the CIE.

Joe Cavric's career spans over 52 years working in the Victorian Railways and Metro Trains Melbourne system, starting as an apprentice Electrician and working his way through various project and engineering departments.Early on is his career, Joe was involved in upgrading and replacing fluorescent light fittings on station platforms with low wattage high pressure sodium lights. Then as Project Manager in the mid nineties, Joe managed the upgrade of low wattage lamps in the station environment to newer lighting technology. With lighting design qualifications from R.M.I.T., Joe has been a major contributor to railway infrastructure, station and level crossing removal projects over many decades, working with lighting designers, lighting supplies Engineers and Architects, to modernize the stations prescient with LED lighting.