Thomas Edison, an American inventor, is often credited with inventing the electric light bulb. However, the truth is that it was actually Sir Joseph Swan, an English scientist, who first demonstrated a working prototype of the electric light bulb. Swan's version used a carbonized paper filament in a vacuum tube, and he patented his invention in 1878.

Although Swan was the first to demonstrate a practical electric light bulb, it was Edison who improved upon the design and made it commercially viable. Edison's bulb used a carbonized bamboo filament and a more efficient vacuum pump, making it more durable and longer-lasting than Swan's version. Edison patented his improved design in 1879 and went on to establish the Edison Electric Light Company to manufacture and distribute his light bulbs.

Despite Edison's success in popularizing the electric light bulb, it is important to recognize Swan's pioneering work in the field. Swan's early experiments laid the foundation for Edison's later innovations, and his contributions to the development of the light bulb should not be overlooked.

For more information on Sir Joseph Swan and his invention of the electric light bulb, you can visit the following websites:

• Wikipedia - Joseph Swan
• BBC History - Joseph Swan

By learning about Swan's role in the history of the electric light bulb, we can gain a better understanding of the collaborative nature of scientific discovery and the importance of recognizing the contributions of all pioneers in a given field.

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