LEDs: The Practical Uses of Light-Emitted Diodes: As to practical uses, the light-emitted diode didn't see widespread, common uses that we know today. Instead, they were first used to replace incandescent lighting and neon indicators. This took place first in fancy and expensive devices like lab and electronic test equipment, but eventually found their way into the things we are familiar with today as consumers: TVs, radios, handheld calculators, watches and our appliances.
These early, commercial use, LEDs were read, and had barely enough luminosity to be used as indicator lights, like in the above mentioned devices. There was no thought to lighting up a room or large area back then. The handheld calculator's readout screen were so tiny that little plastic "magnifier lenses" had to be placed over these early LEDs so they could be seen more clearly. Along the way, more colors were introduced, and a great many more appliances and devices benefited.
Along with the advancement in LED technology came an increase in the lighting capabilities. These little lights were no longer being considered for just indicators on readout screens in electronic devices. More and more, as light output increased, and efficiency and reliability grew more stable, the practical use of LEDs entered the lighting arena, where their high power white lights led the way to more practical and cost-effective illumination uses.
Coming commonly in sizes around 3mm and 5mm packages, heat became an issue as power output rose. So, in order to handle reliability, heat had to be trimmed down. This led to intricate packages that allowed for better heat dissipation. Looking back and comparing those first generation LEDs with today's high powered LEDs, you'd not recognize them as being related to each other. Their practical use has come a long way.
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