Invention of the Light Bulb

In October 1879, Thomas Alva Edison (1847–1931) was able to produce a light bulb using carbon filaments. Before the end of the year he had publicly demonstrated his achievement and in 1880, he was granted a patent for his invention. The prospect of the “electrification” of modern society grew closer as, during the course of the 1880s, more and more private households began using light bulbs. Today, several governments are encouraging the replacement of conventional light bulbs with more energy efficient ones.