Who invented the lightbulb, leading to a revolution in electrical engineering?

The lightbulb, pivotal in the development of electrical engineering and technology, is most commonly associated with Thomas Edison. While there were others who experimented with electric light prior to Edison, he was the one who developed the first commercially practical incandescent lightbulb and the accompanying electrical system for lighting. His work not only focused on the invention of the bulb itself but also on the development of a whole electrical distribution system that made electric lighting feasible for mass use. This innovation transformed society, paving the way for widespread use of electricity in homes and businesses, thus revolutionizing energy consumption and urban life.

The other individuals mentioned each made significant contributions in their respective fields—Nikola Tesla is celebrated for his work in alternating current and electrical systems, Albert Einstein is known for his contributions to theoretical physics, and Alexander Graham Bell is famous for inventing the telephone—none of them played a direct role in the substantial evolution of the lightbulb as Edison did.