Ulysse Nardin

Osmium Triva

Jan 24, 2024,23:51 PM

Did you know, before use in watch dials …

In 1898, Austrian chemist Auer von Welsbach developed the Oslamp with a filament made of osmium, which he introduced in 1902. After only a few years, osmium was replaced by tungsten, which is more abundant, stable and cheaper. Tungsten has the highest melting point of all metals, and it increases the luminous efficacy and life of incandescent lamps.

The light bulb manufacturer Osram was founded in 1906, when three German companies, Auer-Gesellschaft, AEG and Siemens & Halske, combined their lamp production facilities. Osram derived its name from the elements of osmium and Wolfram (the latter is German for tungsten).

Used in many European vehicles!

Extra Credit:
Does anyone remember or use the software / app Wolfram Alpha? In this case, it’s related to Steven Wolfram, not tungsten.

Comments: view entire thread

Never knew about this beforehand!

By: InHavenPro : January 25th, 2024-03:56

Very interesting, and - pun duly intended - illuminating. Thanks Mike, cheers, Filip

You read my mind… thinking of wolfram alpha!!

By: Darron : January 25th, 2024-04:15

And wondering if they were related

Thanks for enlightening us.

By: hora12reborn : January 25th, 2024-05:28

Something I learned, today.

By: amanico : January 25th, 2024-06:17

Very interesting, even the extra!

By: Mary Anny : January 25th, 2024-07:20

Thanks for sharing yourr knowledge!

I know the original sites of OSRAM in Berlin very well, grew up quite close by...

By: RayStantzPhD : January 25th, 2024-09:22

... unfortunately the company, which was second in the world behind Philips Lighting, went down due to management mistakes and was sold mainly to a Chinese company :| Ouch! Cheers, Alex

Back in my childhood, my father who was a mechanical engineer and specialty toolmaker, always used to refer Wolfram as Tungsten.

By: ZSHSZ : January 25th, 2024-12:52

I also remember vaguely telling me about the metals properties and its use in lightbulbs… The good old days! Thank you for refreshing my memory.

I knew nothing about that thanks. (nt)

By: Ronald Held : January 25th, 2024-16:01

NT