The history of the Production and Application of Light Committee (PALC) is unveiled from its humble beginnings through October 1983. The organizational changes are recorded from a subcommittee status within the American Institute of Electrical Engineers (AIEE) in 1909 to its present position under the Industrial Utilization Systems Department (IUSD) in the Industry Applications Society of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). Through the years, committee work and the advancement of lighting technology were closely related and are not separated in the article. An extensive bibliography is included to give the interested reader on opportunity to obtain information on specific subjects or the lighting history in general. Special weight was put on the recent trend in energy conservation and lighting economy. Appendices list all PALC chairmen and the scope of the committee.