Alicia Soto

In my opinion the most important technological invention to benefit society by far is the invention of the light bulb. It profoundly changed human existence by making it possible to see at night. This enabled people to work, travel, and enjoy night life. People are able to work at night since they are able to see in their offices because of lighting. People are able to travel at night because street lights allow them to see and cars have lighting to allow them to see where they are going. Lighting allows people to gather for social events such as baseball games, dinners or dances because they have lighting that allows them to see at night.  Classes can be held at night because of lighting so the ability to learn at any hour is possible.

This invention opened the door for a world of possibilities because no other invention has touched so many lives in so many ways. The invention of the light bulb affected people from all corners of the world. From the riches to the poorest family everyone has benefited in on way or another from this invention. The light bulbs allow us to stay awake longer and wake up earlier so we’re able to accomplish more in a day then we would normally without it. Just imagine what it would be light trying to go to the mall, class, or anywhere for that matter if we did not have the lighting we have today.

Prior to the light bulb being invented people were able to go out but the light provided from oil or gas was inferior and dangerous. Gas lighting was also dirty and caused many explosions and fires. It also emitted a great deal of soot which meant constant cleaning. Since there was no real way to light roads, travel at night was almost impossible. The light bulb changed this by providing a safer and better way to provide light.  Is is also a great deal cleaner so there is no need for constant cleaning.  It is also healthier since there are no fumes emitted from this as from oil or gas lighting.

Better lighting provided people with the ability to safely travel at night. It also allowed them to complete the task later in the day that they could not do in the daylight. Social lives were also improved as this new lighting allowed people to gather at night for activities. Prior to the invention none of this was possible as the lighting that was available was neither adequate nor long lasting.

Edison’s greatest challenge was the development of the incandescent (light bulb). Edison wanted to find a better and less expensive way to produce light than what was being used. People used oil or gas lamps for lighting and these were both expensive and dangerous. He really did not invent the light bulb but rather built upon the idea that was used for over 50 years. The idea of electric lighting wasn’t new but nothing had been developed for home use. He invented the system that would make it possible to make the light bulb practical, safe, and economical.

Edison was not the only person trying to invent the light bulb. Many inventors had tried and failed before him. They had become discouraged and moved on to invent other devices but these inventors paved they way for Edison to finish what they started. Among those inventors that helped paved the ways were Sir Humphrey Davy, Warren De la Rue, James Bowman Lindsay, James Prescott Joule, Frederick De Moleyns, and Heinrich Göbel.