Have you ever wondered who had the bright idea of inventing the light bulb? 

Well, it’s credited to a rather unusual man, Thomas Edison. An man who had a gift  – not so much for inventing as for taking an existing idea, and finding ways to make it better, or cheaper, or both.

During his lifetime Thomas Edison invented a truly extraordinary range of things – ideas that define our modern world – but he is best known for inventing the electric light bulb. And guess what? He didn’t even invent it. People had been making wires glow with heat since 1761. But he worked out that by using a carbonised bamboo filament a bulb could last over 1,200 hours. 

His whole life is an extraordinary true story. We hope you enjoy listening.

Narrated by Sophia Milburn

Sound editing by Max Watson

Script by Camilla Akers-Douglas

Produced by Camilla Akers-Douglas and Henrietta McMicking

Theme music by James Burrell Music

Instagram @wonderpodcasts

Twitter @wonder_podcast

Facebook @wonderpodcasts

To contact us, email [email protected] or [email protected]