Thomas Edison invented the first commercially successful light bulb in 1879.  

Ironically, barely anyone in America had access to electricity. They couldn't use the new invention. Edison worked to solve this problem. He helped develop power plants so that they could distribute electricity over wires to homes and businesses. Once electricity reached customers across the nation, everyone had light bulbs.

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Light bulbs literally changed the way people lived. Before, people strained to read by candlelight. Now, they could read comfortably with adequate light.