3 ms·

Thomas Edison Did Not Invent the Light Bulb

12 points by chenster 8y ago

fanzhang 8y ago
Would you say that a filament that burned for a few minutes is a light bulb? Perhaps it would be better to term it light-from-electricity. (But then after you invent that word, wouldn't you say light-from-electricity was invented by nature through lighting?) The point being that everyone sits on the shoulder of giants, and the above article half a play on semantics, and half an interesting history of items that preceded Edison's practical light bulb.
- talltimtom 8y ago
  Prefixing something with “practical” just to be able to argue that a particular person is the inventor seems more the play on semantics. Steve jobs didn’t invent the computer or the portable music player or the smart phone, and it seems most can agree to that fact even if they do feel that the Mac, iPod and iPhone where all revolutionary products. Why can’t we just be frank about the fact that Edison didn’t invent the light bulb, instead of trying to pretend that he sort of did by saying “well he did invent the “practical” light bulb”. Just like Bill Gates invented the “Practical” computer operating system, and Musk invented the “practical” electric car. It just feels silly to start proletariat that sort of semi deceitful propeganda simply to promote certain famous names.
- 8bitsrule 8y ago
  A little-known chapter of lighting is the Phoebus cartel, created in Geneva in 1925. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoebus_cartel https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoebus_cartel It was created to reduce competition and to standardize the life expectancy of light bulbs at 1,000 hours (down from 2,500 hours). Preventing technical advances to maximize profit is a fascinating art. That art may explain many things that we see going on today. I bet there are a couple great books on the topic I haven't seen.
RachelF 8y ago
Yes, but he was better at self-promotion than the others who did, so he is credited with it by history. Similarly, in 20 years time Steve Jobs will be remembered as the inventor of the smartphone.
- supergirl 8y ago
  there will always be some popular misconceptions.
- chenster 8y ago
  People should know about the truth.

12 points by chenster 8y ago

Would you say that a filament that burned for a few minutes is a light bulb? Perhaps it would be better to term it light-from-electricity. (But then after you invent that word, wouldn't you say light-from-electricity was invented by nature through lighting?) The point being that everyone sits on the shoulder of giants, and the above article half a play on semantics, and half an interesting history of items that preceded Edison's practical light bulb.

talltimtom 8y ago
Prefixing something with “practical” just to be able to argue that a particular person is the inventor seems more the play on semantics. Steve jobs didn’t invent the computer or the portable music player or the smart phone, and it seems most can agree to that fact even if they do feel that the Mac, iPod and iPhone where all revolutionary products. Why can’t we just be frank about the fact that Edison didn’t invent the light bulb, instead of trying to pretend that he sort of did by saying “well he did invent the “practical” light bulb”. Just like Bill Gates invented the “Practical” computer operating system, and Musk invented the “practical” electric car. It just feels silly to start proletariat that sort of semi deceitful propeganda simply to promote certain famous names.
8bitsrule 8y ago
A little-known chapter of lighting is the Phoebus cartel, created in Geneva in 1925. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoebus_cartel https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoebus_cartel It was created to reduce competition and to standardize the life expectancy of light bulbs at 1,000 hours (down from 2,500 hours). Preventing technical advances to maximize profit is a fascinating art. That art may explain many things that we see going on today. I bet there are a couple great books on the topic I haven't seen.

RachelF 8y ago

Yes, but he was better at self-promotion than the others who did, so he is credited with it by history. Similarly, in 20 years time Steve Jobs will be remembered as the inventor of the smartphone.

supergirl 8y ago
there will always be some popular misconceptions.
chenster 8y ago
People should know about the truth.