Thomas Edison and the Lightbulb

In 1880, Thomas Edison patented his electric incandescent lamp.

By the late 1800s, many people knew of electricity. Yet no had yet to discover a way to effectively and efficiently use the electrical current to replace gaslights. Thomas Edison put together a team of scientists, including himself, and began researching. As he researched he filed for patents based on the designs and materials that he used.

Finding some success with a carbon filament, Edison patented the spiral design and material. Though eventually, he changed the design to a horseshoe shape. He never made much money off the lightbulb, as fixing a house to use it required a large expense. Also, other scientists made other improvements to the lightbulb to make it better. Still, Edison’s research helped to give us the electrical light we have now and take for granted.