Carcel

/kɑːrˈsɛl/ noun

Definition

A unit of luminous intensity based on the light produced by a Carcel lamp, used historically to measure brightness.

Etymology

Named after Bernard-Guillaume Carcel, a French inventor who created the Carcel lamp in the early 19th century; the unit became a standard in photometry.

Kelly Says

Before electric light, the Carcel lamp's steady brightness was so reliable that scientists used it as the official measurement standard for light—basically the ancient version of a standardized lightbulb!

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