Lighting the Way to Surgery: What is Needed in a Surgical Light

Introduction

Man’s earliest attempt to provide lighting for tasks began in prehistoric times with the use of fire for illumination. From burning pine knots to lighting walking paths to using a wick in a Grecian lamp, the technology of illumination progressed slowly. After many injuries and accidents with oil and gas lamps, Thomas Alva Edison developed the first practical  incandescent lamp in 1879. Since then, lighting technology using artificial light sources has steadily improved.