Incandescent Light Bulb Invented
1879 · 19th Century
In 1879, after years of experimentation, Thomas Edison and his team at his Menlo Park laboratory developed the first practical incandescent light bulb. On October 21, 1879, they achieved success with a carbonized cotton thread filament that burned for 13.5 hours. By December 1879, they had improved the design enough to give a public demonstration on New Year's Eve, lighting up Christie Street in Menlo Park. This invention revolutionized lighting and paved the way for the electrification of homes and businesses worldwide.
Key Figures
Thomas EdisonCharles BatchelorFrancis UptonJohn Kruesi
Locations
Menlo Park LaboratoryChristie Street
Topics
inventionelectricitytechnologyBulbLighting
Connected Events — 3 Connections
Edison DC lighting networks proved commercial electrical distribution viable creating demand that Tesla AC system was designed to serve more efficiently over longer distances First Electrical AC System Invented
Edison's incandescent bulb catalyzed widespread electrification, creating the electrical infrastructure that enabled the electronic revolution, ultimately making possible the computers and networks that Berners-Lee used to create the World Wide Web The Birth of the World Wide Web
Edison's DC lighting system created the electrical industry that Tesla's AC motor sought to transform Nikola Tesla Demonstrates AC Induction Motor
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