Thomas Edison was an inventor and businessman who created the lightbulb, one of the most ubiquitous inventions found in homes, businesses, streets and vehicles. In 1879, he conducted the first successful test of an incandescent light bulb with a carbon filament that remained lit for 13.5 hours, demonstrating the viability of electric lighting. Modern light bulbs have since been transformed to be more energy efficient, produce less heat, be more environmentally friendly, and provide longer hours of light per bulb.