Toshiba International Corporation announced this week that it’s introducing the innovative 40-watt equivalent A19 LED lamp that will possess many of the lighting features preferred by consumers.

Unlike many other LED lamps launched to date, Toshiba’s new A19 bulb boasts a more traditional light bulb shape – a feature that research shows is important to both lighting designers and consumers. Toshiba’s A19 lamp bulb is manufactured with patented technology enabling omnidirectional light distribution that is similar to an incandescent lamp. The dimmable light will be available in 2700K and 4000K color temperatures.

The new bulb is manufactured to ENERGY STAR® performance levels and is undergoing ENERGY STAR® testing now. The A19 lasts up to 40 times longer than incandescent lamps and reduces energy use by more than 75 percent. The lamp features a 450-lumen output, reaches full brightness instantly, and unlike CFL’s, contains no mercury or lead.

“With Toshiba’s LED lighting, you get everything you could want in a lamp,” said Peter DallePezze, Vice President of Marketing and Product Development, Toshiba International Corporation LED Lighting Systems Division. “You don’t have to sacrifice lighting quality for energy savings.”

Toshiba took the additional step of demonstrating its commitment to the idea that LED technology is the future of lighting by abandoning production of incandescent light bulbs in March 2010. Toshiba is the first major lighting manufacturer to proactively discontinue the production of incandescent light bulbs in favor of energy-efficient LED lamps.