Thomas Edison did NOT invent the lightbulb, he refined it and got all the credit

1 answer

That's correct! Thomas Edison is often credited with the invention of the lightbulb, but he did not actually invent it. The idea of electric light existed before Edison's time, and various inventors worked on developing electric lamps. Notably, Sir Humphry Davy created an early version of an electric arc lamp in the early 1800s, and others, like Heinrich Göbel and Joseph Swan, made significant contributions as well.

Edison's main contribution was refining the existing designs to create a practical and commercially viable incandescent lightbulb. He improved the filament materials, vacuum chamber design, and the electrical infrastructure needed for widespread use, which led to the first successful and long-lasting electric light source. His patent and marketing efforts played a crucial role in popularizing electric lighting, which is why he receives much of the credit today.