The lightbulb has been one of the most pivotal inventions. Undeniably, it is an extremely important invention that mankind is forever indebted to. But who is credited with the discovery of electricity? This question has been framed multiple times, and the answer comes down to two scientists: Thoman Alva Edison and Nikola Tesla.
A Serbian-American, Nikola Tesla was an inventor, electrical engineer, mechanical engineer, and futurist. On the other hand, Thomas Alva Edison was an American inventor and businessman.
Edison is known to many as “The Father of the Lightbulb”, In his early days, He sold the rights to his first invention — an improved stock ticker — when he was only 22 for $40,000. He quit his job as a telegrapher and dedicate himself to inventing.
Edison quickly became a well-established inventor who created and improved upon devices for some of the biggest companies of the time. While he wasn’t just an inventor, though, he was also a good businessman. He founded Edison Illuminating Company, a company that we all know as General Electric these days.
His inventions also included using a phonograph to record sound and projection of moving pictures.
Contrary to popular belief, lightbulbs already existed before Edison, he simply improved on the patents that existed.
However, many dispute that it was actually Nikola Tesla who should be given credit for the lightbulb. After arriving in the United States, Tesla sought out Edison and began working for him. They worked together for a short time, Tesla helped Edison improve his inventions, but ultimately they ceased working together. There were several reasons to have then alluded to his leaving, but one thing was for sure — they disagreed on electrical currents.
Tesla was in favour of alternating currents, whereas Edison sided with using direct currents.
Rather than work together with Tesla to see if his ideas were viable, Edison instead refused the idea and drove him away. When Tesla found investors who believed in his tech and he began to gain attention and fame, Edison set out to defame and discredit Tesla. To prove that Tesla was wrong, he used his high-voltage systems to demonstrate in public on dogs and other animals that AC was too dangerous and deadly.
While all of Edison’s campaigning left Tesla and his investors at a huge disadvantage, in the end, Tesla’s AC system was chosen. He even was able to create the first hydroelectric power plant using Niagara Falls.
