Every technology comes to pass eventually from common use – we don’t move freight with steam engines any more, we don’t ride around our streets in covered wagons, and while we might have nostalgia for those technologies no one would consider returning to them today. So it is with light, we might be losing Edison’s invention, but we’re gaining the future.
Losing Edison’s invention is not the end of an era, it is the opportunity to usher in a new era of lighting design at home. We have a chance to abandon the crutch of old thinking and bring beautiful lighting to every American home. By embracing this opportunity we can create a culture that is not only more sustainable, but also more dynamic and interesting… James Bedell. Losing Edison – Beautiful, Sustainable Lighting at Home
The Who:
For those of you who may not know James Bedell, (aka @JamesBedell on Twitter or JPB Lighting on Facebook) he has spent the last 10 years working as a lighting designer in New York City. During that time he has worked his magic on numerous theater productions, high-end residential projects, commercial restaurants, retail locations and the list goes on. If you are a long time reader here, you might recall that he has been mentioned at least twice here most notably in a great guest article by Mike Hines on Optimism and of course in the ongoing conversation on RIP Recessed Lights & Long Live.
Speaking of notables, the one that I am many others know him for, is his take on sustainability issues and his advocacy for it. One way that he has chosen to accomplish this was his launching of Build2Sustain back in 2008, and his striking out on his own approximately 2 months ago to better accomplish his goals. Oh & before I forget again, Happy Belated 30th B’Day James – it’s only a week late…
The What:
Losing Edison is James first book and is a good entry level book for homeowners, interior designers, contractors, and others that are perplexed about lighting choices (fixtures &/or bulbs). Primarily in it he covers the basics of lighting; the three main types, types of fixtures, pros & cons of bulb types, just what is Kelvin, CRI & this other weird jargon you see. He also spends time trying to eliminate the confusion many people hear about for incandescent bulb phase out. Finally he covers some general principles used to adequately light the most common rooms in a house & when you should call in a lighting designer.
The Why?
If you are looking for product recommendations or detailed construction drawings, I can simply say there are none. As he succinctly states “This book only scratches the surface when it comes to lighting design concepts and execution. It is meant to be the beginning of a conversation, not the end of one.” So why invest in the book? As I mentioned above, this is a great entry-level book and it helps lay the groundwork for that conversation to take place, whether it is between you and a builder, an architect, or a lighting designer. While there are no specific recommendations involved it can also help you avoid that deer in the headlights look when you go to purchase a new bulb and are looking at a dizzying area of choices.
The Where and When:
UPDATE: From James – “As useful as the book is, the technical data (specifically about LED) is out of date. I can’t in good conscience keep out of date information available for purchase, so it’s coming down.” The good news – “The universal parts of the book, explaining basic lighting terms, explaining different lighting technologies, and some core concepts like ambient, accent and task lighting, are all here for free with many more on the way.”
In closing, I would like to thank James Bedell for the wonderful opportunity to review his first book, and I would like to wish him the best in all his future endeavors which if history is any indicator will be bright indeed. I also have to add now – Bravo for making that choice & still making the information & others available at jamesbedell.com/tips.
