Flashbulb: meaning, definitions and examples

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flashbulb

 

[ ˈflæʃˌbʌlb ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

photography device

A flashbulb is an early type of photographic flash used to illuminate a scene. It consists of a glass bulb filled with a flammable substance that emits a bright flash of light when ignited. Flashbulbs were commonly used in amateur and professional photography before the advent of electronic flash units.

Synonyms

light bulb, photo flash

Examples of usage

  • He replaced the flashbulb before taking the family photo.
  • The photographer prepared a flashbulb to capture the moment.
  • She enjoyed the nostalgia of using an old camera with flashbulbs.

Translations

Translations of the word "flashbulb" in other languages:

🇵🇹 flashbulb

🇮🇳 फ्लैशबल्ब

🇩🇪 Blitzlicht

🇮🇩 lampu kilat

🇺🇦 спалахова лампа

🇵🇱 lampa błyskowa

🇯🇵 フラッシュバルブ

🇫🇷 lampe de flash

🇪🇸 flashbulb

🇹🇷 flaş ampulü

🇰🇷 플래시 벌브

🇸🇦 مصباح فلاش

🇨🇿 blesková žárovka

🇸🇰 blesková žiarovka

🇨🇳 闪光灯泡

🇸🇮 bliskovna žarnica

🇮🇸 flassperla

🇰🇿 жарқыл шамы

🇬🇪 ფლეშბულბი

🇦🇿 flaş lampası

🇲🇽 flashbulb

Etymology

The term 'flashbulb' originates from the combination of 'flash', referring to a sudden burst of light, and 'bulb', which denotes the glass container that holds the flammable material. Flashbulbs were developed in the early 20th century and gained popularity in the 1930s. Before the introduction of electronic flash, these bulbs were widely used in photography for their ability to produce a bright, short-duration burst of light necessary for capturing images in low-light conditions. They typically consisted of a glass casing filled with oxygen, a metal filament, and a flammable chemical. Over the years, advancements in technology led to the development of electronic flash units, which eventually replaced flashbulbs in most photography, but they remain a significant part of photographic history.