Final answer:
The phenomenon described is called the photoelectric effect, where high current causes electrons to be ejected from a metal surface.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phenomenon described in the question is called the photoelectric effect. It occurs when the current through the filament is sufficiently high to cause the outer shell electrons of the filament atoms to be "boiled off" and ejected from the filament.
The photoelectric effect is not specific to filaments, but rather a general phenomenon that occurs when electrons are ejected from the surface of a metal that has been exposed to light.
This effect was first observed and studied by scientists in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and it has important applications in fields such as solar panels and photodetectors.