The document summarizes the history and development of the light bulb. It describes how the light bulb was not invented by a single inventor, but was instead the result of incremental improvements over time by many inventors since the 1830s. It then discusses Thomas Edison's role in creating the first long-lasting, practical incandescent light bulb in 1879. Finally, it notes how light bulbs have changed over time through new materials and technologies, and their widespread use in homes, offices, and energy-efficient alternatives.