John Henry Holmes

In 1880, Holmes attended a public demonstration of Joseph Swan's incandescent light bulb. This seemed to spark his interest in electric lighting, and he approached Swan on multiple occasions in hopes of becoming his apprentice. Holmes invented the quick break light switch in 1884. The technology augmented the standard switch by ensuring the internal contacts moved quickly enough to deter the electric arcing that otherwise invariably shortened the switch's lifespan. The quick break technology remains in use in modern times.

John Henry Holmes

In 1880, Holmes attended a public demonstration of Joseph Swan's incandescent light bulb. This seemed to spark his interest in electric lighting, and he approached Swan on multiple occasions in hopes of becoming his apprentice. Holmes invented the quick break light switch in 1884. The technology augmented the standard switch by ensuring the internal contacts moved quickly enough to deter the electric arcing that otherwise invariably shortened the switch's lifespan. The quick break technology remains in use in modern times.