Free levelled English reading practice. Read for meaning first, then use the full Speed Reading tool to time yourself and track your progress.
For a long time, people used candles, oil lamps and gas lamps at night. Inventors wanted a safer and easier electric light. During the 1800s, many people worked on electric lamps. Thomas Edison and his team tested thousands of materials for a useful lamp. In 1879, they demonstrated a long-lasting incandescent light. Other inventors also made important improvements to electric lighting. Electric lights slowly became common in homes, streets and workplaces. They made it easier for people to read, work and travel after dark. Modern light bulbs are very different from the early lamps. Many homes now use LED lights because they use less electricity and last much longer.
Comprehension questions
What did people use before electric lights?
Who worked with a team on electric lamps?
When did Edison’s team demonstrate a long-lasting light?
