Edison effect

American  

noun

Physics.

1. the phenomenon of the flow of electric current when an electrode sealed inside the bulb of an incandescent lamp is connected to the positive terminal of the lamp.

---

Etymology

Origin of Edison effect

Named after T. A. Edison

Example Sentences

The phenomenon was given the name “the Edison effect.”

From Forbes

Television, a wild extrapolation on the Edison effect, made its debut at the 1939 World’s Fair in New York.

From Forbes

Here, the Edison effect was put to good use once again: Vacuum tubes could be lined up to shoot off and record positive and negative charges in a programmed sequence to add columns of numbers at the speed of electrons; in other words, as fast as anything is physically capable of moving. 

From Forbes

His one discovery in basic science�the "Edison effect," the emission of electrons from a heated electric conductor�led eventually to the creation of the electronics industry. which has given the world radio, television, computers, radar and other marvels.

From Time Magazine Archive

"Out of a multitude of labor savers and world-beaters—and world savers, too!—to be credited to Mr. Edison, it is impossible to mention more than these: "The quadruplex telegraph system for sending four messages—two in each direction—at the same time; the telephone carbon transmitter; the phonograph; the incandescent electric light and complete system; magnetic separator; Edison Effect now used in Radio bulbs; giant rock crushers; alkaline storage battery; motion picture camera.

From Project Gutenberg