Nikola Tesla's Early System for Electric Lighting
A 19th-century patent by Nikola Tesla describing an early method for distributing and regulating electric light using high-frequency alternating current.
Original patent title: “System Of Electric Llghting”
A 19th-century patent by Nikola Tesla describing an early method for distributing and regulating electric light using high-frequency alternating current. Granted to Individual in 1891 with 13 forward citations.
Key facts
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent details a system for powering electric lamps using high-frequency alternating current (AC). It focuses on the conversion of electrical energy into light through the use of an induction coil or transformer to step up voltage. The system is designed to maintain steady illumination by managing the frequency and intensity of the current delivered to the lighting elements, which were early predecessors to modern gas-discharge or vacuum-based lamps.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover modern LED or semiconductor-based lighting technologies.
- Does not cover low-frequency power distribution systems used in standard household wiring.
- Does not cover digital control systems or smart home lighting automation.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
What made this novel
Tesla realized that by increasing the frequency of the current, he could achieve higher efficiency and safer operation for lighting, effectively bypassing the limitations of direct current transmission.
The Patent Drawing
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Early high-frequency lighting demonstrations
Tesla coils used in educational and experimental settings
Early neon and gas-discharge lighting prototypes
Why it matters
The bigger picture
This patent represents a critical step in the War of Currents, where Tesla's AC system eventually proved more efficient for long-distance power transmission than Edison's DC system. It laid the groundwork for the modern electrical grid by demonstrating that high-frequency electricity could be safely manipulated for practical domestic use.
Granted
June 23, 1891
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Modern power utility companies and lighting manufacturers continue to build on the fundamental principles of AC distribution established by Tesla. While the specific lighting mechanisms have evolved, the underlying grid infrastructure remains heavily influenced by his early work.
Market impact
This patent helped validate the viability of alternating current for public infrastructure. It contributed to the eventual industry-wide shift toward AC power, which remains the global standard for electrical distribution today.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent details a system for powering electric lamps using high-frequency alternating current (AC). It focuses on the conversion of electrical energy into light through the use of an induction coil or transformer to step up voltage. The system is designed to maintain steady illumination by managing the frequency and intensity of the current delivered to the lighting elements, which were early predecessors to modern gas-discharge or vacuum-based lamps.
The clever bit
Tesla realized that by increasing the frequency of the current, he could achieve higher efficiency and safer operation for lighting, effectively bypassing the limitations of direct current transmission.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover modern LED or semiconductor-based lighting technologies.
- Does not cover low-frequency power distribution systems used in standard household wiring.
- Does not cover digital control systems or smart home lighting automation.
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Early stage
Citation count
23/40
Moderately cited
Claim breadth
0/20
Narrow claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
0/20
Older than 20 years
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$7K – $22K
Midpoint $13K · expired or expiring · industry ×1.4
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Tesla, N. (1891). Nikola Tesla's Early System for Electric Lighting (U.S. Patent No. 454,622). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/454622/tesla-coil-electric-lighting
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Nikola Tesla's Early System for Electric Lighting cover?
A 19th-century patent by Nikola Tesla describing an early method for distributing and regulating electric light using high-frequency alternating current.
Who owns patent US 454622?
Individual owns this patent, granted in 1891.
When does this patent expire?
This patent has expired and is now in the public domain — anyone can use the invention freely.
What is patent US 454622 cited by?
This patent has been cited by 13 later patents that build on its ideas.
What problem does this patent solve?
This patent represents a critical step in the War of Currents, where Tesla's AC system eventually proved more efficient for long-distance power transmission than Edison's DC system. It laid the groundwork for the modern electrical grid by demonstrating that high-frequency electricity could be safely manipulated for practical domestic use.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover modern LED or semiconductor-based lighting technologies.
Same assignee
More from Individual
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