I’m working now on a new project, which takes the historic litigation around the light bulb as an entry point to shed new light on the impact of patents upon innovation and access to new technologies.
Thanks to Zetson for the CC-licensed image, via Flickr
More than a century after its introduction, the light bulb remains the defining icon of invention.
Justifiably so, in my opinion, because this widget almost single-handedly drove the demand for electrification.
The light bulb was the “killer app” for electric power, which in turn brought about a new era of technological innovation.
Contrary to popular wisdom, however, Edison’s team was merely one of dozens that co-invented electric light bulb.
Scientifically speaking, his team’s discoveries were neither the first, nor the most important.
What Edison did better than all the other inventors took place not in the laboratory, but in the law office.
His lawyers pursued, obtained, asserted, and litigated key patents on light bulb technology in order to run competing bulb manufacturers out of business or buy them up.
