The first public demonstration of Thomas Edison’s Lighting system was in 1879.  Contrary to popular belief, Thomas Edison’s electric light was not an invention, but an innovation.  The idea of incandescent light had been toyed with and improved upon for nearly a century before Edison made the most drastic and long lasting improvements, which are today part of the electric lighting we use in our homes.  Edison had to invent parts if the light bulb we use today  such as the durable light bulb, safety fuses, and light sockets with on and off switches. Edison’s invention of an electric light that can be used as everyday fixtures in our homes was possibly one of the most important inventions of the century.