Self Help Forums

Go Back   Self Help Forums > Repair > Electrical - Existing Home
Reload this Page Invented three way switch
Register FAQ Members List Calendar Today's Posts

Electrical - Existing Home Electrical Repair / Remodeling Ideas / Problem Solving Solutions

Reply
Page 1 of 2 1 2 >
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1   IP: 64.242.197.254
Old May 31st, 2005, 11:19 AM
bobm bobm is offline
Senior Member
  
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 213
Default Invented three way switch
Does anyone know who invented the three way switch? It's a pretty cool piece of logic if you asked me.

Bob
Reply With Quote
  #2   IP: 155.91.19.73
Old May 31st, 2005, 11:26 AM
bmwpower's Avatar
bmwpower bmwpower is offline
Senior Member
  
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: NJ
Posts: 455
Default
Mdshunk, patented 1955.
Reply With Quote
  #3   IP: 66.59.122.225
Old May 31st, 2005, 02:32 PM
mdshunk's Avatar
mdshunk mdshunk is offline
Senior Member 'Self Help Guru'
  
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,199
Default
Quote:
Originally Posted by bobm
Does anyone know who invented the three way switch? It's a pretty cool piece of logic if you asked me.

Bob
Is this for real? The single pole, double throw switch (aka 3 way switch) has been around from the dawn of time.
__________________
"Nothing is foolproof to a sufficiently talented fool"
Reply With Quote
  #4   IP: 24.36.41.14
Old May 31st, 2005, 03:09 PM
Homer's Avatar
Homer Homer is offline
Senior Member with Distinction
  
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Springfield
Posts: 947
Send a message via AIM to Homer
Default
Quote:
Originally Posted by mdshunk
Is this for real? The single pole, double throw switch (aka 3 way switch) has been around from the dawn of time.
Maybe not the beginning of time but at least from the early railroad days (1769).

A double pole double throw mechanical switch was used and still is used to switch between tracks. The leap from mechanical to electrical didn't take much inventing.

Homer
__________________
Depending on your skills, doing your own electrical work may risk the health and safety of the community. Always find out how to do things safely before beginning.
Reply With Quote
  #5   IP: 66.59.122.225
Old May 31st, 2005, 03:13 PM
mdshunk's Avatar
mdshunk mdshunk is offline
Senior Member 'Self Help Guru'
  
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,199
Default
Quote:
Originally Posted by Homer
Maybe not the beginning of time ...
No... open your Bible to Genesis chapter 3, and you can read about double throw switches. Maybe I'm a little fuzzy...
__________________
"Nothing is foolproof to a sufficiently talented fool"
Reply With Quote
  #6   IP: 165.121.59.44
Old May 31st, 2005, 09:02 PM
Ohm1's Avatar
Ohm1 Ohm1 is offline
First Class Moderator

  
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: WA
Posts: 4,618
Default
I guess the question would be: Who invented the first light switch??
__________________
Learning brings success. While you are waiting, I'm getting better!
Reply With Quote
  #7   IP: 64.242.197.254
Old June 1st, 2005, 11:37 AM
bobm bobm is offline
Senior Member
  
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 213
Default
I should have worded my question better. It's not so much who invented the 3 way switch but who came up with the idea to wire two together to control a single device. I figured it was derived as Homer indicated from another application. Probably part of switching theory which has been around for ages.

Bob
Reply With Quote
  #8   IP: 24.210.203.152
Old June 1st, 2005, 03:30 PM
Mr T's Avatar
Mr T Mr T is online now
Rotaredom

  
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: LaLa Land, NW Ohio
Posts: 4,362
Default
http://www.google.com is your friend!

So is http://search.yahoo.com.

If you cant decide try: http://twingine.com (used to be Yagoohoo!gle)

I didnt find much in the 30 seconds I had to look.. But I think Edison has something to do with it.. Not much around to switch before him. (other then the telegraph, which is basicaly a switch.)
Reply With Quote
  #9   IP: 204.210.136.233
Old June 1st, 2005, 03:42 PM
Speedy Petey's Avatar
Speedy Petey Speedy Petey is offline
Senior Member with Distinction
  
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: NY State
Posts: 904
Default
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ohm1
I guess the question would be: Who invented the first light switch??

Ahhh. But the REAL question begs.....Which came first, the light fixture or the switch????
Reply With Quote
  #10   IP: 165.121.59.48
Old June 1st, 2005, 07:37 PM
Ohm1's Avatar
Ohm1 Ohm1 is offline
First Class Moderator

  
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: WA
Posts: 4,618
Default
Good point Speedy!
I searched my tail off and couldn't find anything on when the "switch" was invented, but I got all the info I needed on the light bulb (Not light fixture)!

Yet, I can tell you when Corn Flakes; bob wire; bennie babies; ligthing rods; and-on-and-on was invented
__________________
Learning brings success. While you are waiting, I'm getting better!
Last edited by Ohm1 : June 1st, 2005 at 07:44 PM.
Reply With Quote
Reply
Page 1 of 2 1 2 >





« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
3way Switch replacement woes TenthFret Electrical - Existing Home 8 December 2nd, 2005 05:52 AM
bypassing the knob switch to a wall switch *guest Electrical - Existing Home 0 December 14th, 2003 09:45 AM
Lighted Switches *budspwr@ntelos.net Electrical - Existing Home 1 December 12th, 2003 11:43 AM
Moving Switches Anonymous Electrical - Existing Home 1 November 30th, 2002 10:07 AM
3 way switch Anonymous Electrical - Existing Home 3 November 3rd, 2002 07:50 AM


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:23 PM.

Contact Us - Self Help and More - Archive - Top

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2013, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
© 2002 - QuinStreet, Inc.
http://www.selfhelpforums.com