In the previous article, we looked at the early beginnings of electrical switch design, including the invention of the knife switch. In this article, we will explore some of the innovations that emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries that paved the way for modern switch designs.
New discoveries
One of the most significant developments was the introduction of the toggle switch. This switch, which was invented in the early 1900s, was much safer and more reliable than the knife switch. It consisted of a lever that could be flipped up or down to make or break a circuit.
Another important innovation was the introduction of the rocker switch. This switch, which was invented in the 1930s, consisted of a button that could be pressed on one end to turn a circuit on, and on the other end to turn it off. It was a more intuitive design that was easier to use than previous switches.
As electricity continued to power more and more devices, the need for even more advanced switch designs grew. In the next article, we will look at how these needs were met with the introduction of modern switch designs.
