Who invented the lightbulb and when?

The invention of the practical lightbulb is primarily credited to Thomas Edison in 1879. While several inventors, including Sir Humphry Davy and Joseph Swan, made significant contributions to the development of electric lighting, Edison is famous for creating the first commercially viable and long-lasting incandescent light bulb. Edison’s breakthrough was the development of a vacuum inside the bulb, which allowed the filament to burn for hours without being consumed. His invention laid the foundation for the widespread use of electric lighting, transforming both residential and industrial environments. Edison also helped to establish the first electric utility company to provide power for lightbulbs, accelerating the adoption of electric lighting worldwide.