Many people believe that before humans harnessed electricity, the world remained shrouded in darkness, with everyone retiring to bed as soon as night fell.

In reality, even in the pre-electricity era, most individuals typically retired around 9:00 p.m., with city dwellers often staying up even later.

Walking in the dark was troublesome and fraught with the risk of stumbling or falling into ditches.

In England, torchbearers stepped in to guide people safely, illuminating the path with torches soaked in turpentine and ensuring their safe return home.

Candles were the primary source of lighting before kerosene lamps became commonplace.

However, kerosene, in its early usage, was unrefined and in short supply, producing copious amounts of smoke when ignited. It wasn't until the 19th century that advancements in distillation methods enabled the refinement of kerosene from coal tar, resulting in a highly efficient, stable light source.

Due to technological limitations, kerosene refinement on a large scale remained prohibitively expensive, making its use a luxury.

It wasn't until 1859 that George Bissell's discovery of oil in Pennsylvania led to the drilling of the first oil wells. The viscous blue liquid extracted from these wells couldn't be used as fuel directly, prompting Bissell to purify it.

Kerosene lamps made from this purified oil not only emitted bright light but were also remarkably affordable compared to their coal-derived counterparts. This affordable oil not only brought light to the world but also resolved the raw material shortages for powering new industrial engines.

In the 1850s, gas had gained popularity in the United States and England, yet its installation was disruptive and costly for the wealthy, damaging their homes and belongings.

Additionally, gas had adverse effects on interior decor, causing ceiling discoloration, fabric fading, metal corrosion, and soot accumulation on surfaces. Even flowers wilted upon contact with the gas, and most plants turned yellow.

People began experimenting with this newfound phenomenon, leading to the invention of the arc lamp in 1846 by Redrick Hale Holmes.

While it found use in lighthouses in England, it remained expensive, requiring a 2-ton steam engine.

The arc lamp's brightness made it unsuitable for household use, and in the 1840s, prior to Edison's birth, William Grove invented the incandescent lamp, which had limited operating hours until vacuum tubes were developed.

In the 1870s, German chemist Hermann Sprengel introduced the mercury pump, which reduced air within glassware to one part in a million. This innovation extended the filament's lifespan, allowing bulbs to burn for hundreds of hours.

Edison conducted over 250 experiments searching for a material with superior durability and electrical resistance.

In 1879, he succeeded with a piece of carbonized cardboard, which could burn for up to 13 hours when carefully handled.

Edison was not only an inventor but also a visionary businessman who patented numerous technologies, not only in the United States but also in the United Kingdom.

His most significant contribution to later generations was the design and popularization of an entire electrical system, encompassing generators, power lines, and electrical appliances, making this system accessible to the masses.

Following Edison's electric light invention and the establishment of an integrated electrical system, Samuel Insull, an American business genius, achieved economies of scale through multiple initiatives, transforming electricity into a basic service akin to water and air.

This transformation made electricity accessible to a wider demographic.