The History and Science of UltraViolet Light

The History and Science of Ultraviolet Light has evolved to where we have UV light technology to help us in our homes and every day lives.

In 1800, a German astronomer, Fredrich William Herschel, was experimenting with passing sunlight through a glass prism.  He observed that temperatures increased the more he went towards the red end of the spectrum. As a scientist he measured beyond the red end of the spectrum, naming it "ultra-red."

A year later, Johann Wilhelm Ritter, Polish-born physicist, hearing of Herschel's ultra-red discovery, wanted to know if light existed beyond it.  At the University of Jena, Ritter did experiments using silver chloride.  This light-sensitive material was used in passing different colors through a glass prism. He found an intense reaction with the silver chloride, and beyond the red end of the spectrum he found the violet light that he termed "chemical rays."  Later this light was referred to as "ultraviolet" light. 

In 1877 two English scientists, W. B. Hugo Downes and Thomas Porter  Blunt, discovered that sunlight kills bacteria.  While doing an experiment with sugar water the part in the sun remained clear while the shaded side grew cloudy with bacteria.

Much later Marshall Ward discovered it was the ultraviolet portion that had the bacteria-killing properties.

Niels Finsen was awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 1903, for his work using UV light to fight tuberculosis.

The UV-C light sterilization has the ability to kill viruses, germs, and bacteria.  The lights are now at a stage that we have sizes that we can use anywhere.

Ultraviolet light has evolved to where we now have access in our own homes to use this technology.

The large rechargeable model and a smaller portable travel model are now available.  This gives us the freedom to use environmentally friendly technology to protect our kids by using the wand for backpacks, pet's beds, and kitchen counters.  This technology has advanced to the point that as sweeper is available with the ability to kill germs as well.

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