The Value of the Light Bulb

Edison was famous for inventing the light bulb. He created the research and development lab in order to finish the idea. If we think about the light bulb as a medium, meaning content doesn’t matter, we find what is most significant about this invention, its value. How would anything be possible without the use of the light bulb? The light bulb reshaped our way of life. Its not just about the light itself but more importantly the other things that evolved from this invention. It was a really key development. It is amazing how much we live in an electrical world, how dependent we are on electricity. I found it very interesting the way New York City reacted when we had the Northeastern blackout in 2003. Outrages were reported in many cities and states including New York City. Because of the numerous sky scrapers and tall buildings, the moon and the stars were not the main source of light, it was those who were residing in Manhattan and other borrows who provided the cities main source of light. Many people came outside with candles and flashlights to help travelers who were trying to make their way home. It is the moments like these we realize how dependent we are on electricity. If we consider Times Square alone, there is an uncountable amount of electronic billboards posted above our heads, advertising everything we can think of, lighting up the sky in the city the never sleeps. Imagine if those lights were blacked out. It is from the light bulb in which everything involving electricity has evolved, and it is an important note in history to be remembered. If we compare the invention of the light bulb to what we are capable of doing now, it makes you think that anything is possible really.