By Spencer Cutright

Let’s face it: no summer vacation is complete without plenty of pictures. With the invention of the “selfie stick” and apps like Instagram and Snapchat, taking pictures has never been so user friendly, and photography has never been more prevalent than it is today.

However, this would not be possible if flash photography had never been invented. It’s hard to believe, but flash wasn’t always as common or safe as it is today. Here is a brief look at the history of flash photography.

Flash photography originally began as an unsafe and incredibly intricate device known as the flash lamp, which was invented in 1899. Photographers would fill a pan with flash powder, which was then ignited, leading to a small explosion that produced a quick flash. The flash lamp is known for being very unsafe, and many photographers who used it were either killed or injured in the process.

Around the 1930s, flash bulbs replaced flash powder. Oxygen-filled bulbs were electricity ignited, producing a quick bright flash. However, the bulbs could only be used once, and they were often too hot to handle right after the flash.

Thirty years after the flash bulb, the cheaper and more efficient electronic flash was invented. Electronic flashers are often attached to a camera and produce an instantaneous and very bright flash through a flash tube when a picture is taken.

Found on camera phones as early as 2000, LED flash uses high current LEDs to produce a quick flash when a picture is taken. LED flash makes flash photography efficient and miniaturized.

So next time you pull out our camera or smartphone to capture a special moment this summer, keep in mind all the inventors who made modern photography possible.  The future of photography is certainly bright with many possibilities ahead.

Having enough electrical outlets in any given room of your home is often a concern for Des Moines residents. Whether you are attempting to find the proper amount of outlets for your television and entertainment setup or trying to find room for your alarm clock, bedside lamp, and a place to charge your phone at night, almost every room in your Iowa home could benefit from electrical improvements such as upgrading the outlets in your home to include USB connections. While upgrading your outlets seems like a DIY project, your best bet for electrical installation is to call a residential electrician.

Almost every single modern gadget released on the market today uses a USB connection to charge its battery. One of the reasons for this is that while your smartphone or other device may have a special connection for charging the device, such as the 8-pin connection used by Apple for their newest iPhones referred to as the “lightning connector,” the part that plugs into the wall is universal. Having a residential electrician upgrade your outlets would allow you to plug the USB cable directly into the wall without taking up outlet space. This improves your ability to charge your devices without requiring electrical installation of additional outlets or rewiring your entire house.

Before you start pulling the covers off the outlets in your home, call a professional residential electrician. Installing USB outlets requires expert knowledge, and messing with your electrical services only increases your chances of damaging your electrical systems, your property, or even injuring yourself. Contact Electrical Gurus in Des Moines today, and let us handle the electrical installation of USB outlets for your home.

When you think about your personal pool or hot tub, what comes to mind? Probably parties, relaxing evenings, or family fun, right? Electrical shock, property loss, and other dangers are probably the furthest from your mind, and that’s how it should be! That is, if you’re sure the wiring for your pool and or hot tub are in perfect working order.

Many homeowners start to get nervous when cooler weather starts to set in. Thinking about the rising heat bills is stressful, especially if you have holiday shopping to do. But don’t panic just yet: there are plenty of simple actions that can result in major savings! If you follow these 6 tips below, you’re likely to see a positive change in your energy bill.

Now that you’re prepped for a cozy but low-cost winter, relax and enjoy the season! If you need help installing any new energy-efficient lighting in your home or business, Bryant Electric Service is here to assist you.