History of the United States II / Unit 3 USH2 0304 short lesson, about 20 seconds
The Light Bulb
Captions available
The idea
Edison invented a practical incandescent light bulb in eighteen seventy-nine, after reportedly testing thousands of materials before choosing a carbonized cotton filament.
In practice
The Edison Electric Illuminating Company lighting New York in eighteen eighty-two.
Where people slip
The patent followed in eighteen eighty, so both dates are right for different events. Edison General Electric formed in eighteen eighty-nine.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
Builds on
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