Thomas Edison is widely credited with inventing the light bulb, though he did not invent the first electric light. Instead, he improved upon previous designs by developing a practical and long-lasting incandescent light bulb. Edison's work in the late 19th century included creating a high-resistance carbon filament that extended the bulb's life and made it commercially viable. His contributions to electrical lighting significantly changed society by enabling homes and businesses to be illuminated efficiently. Edison's invention paved the way for the widespread use of electric lighting we experience today.