Marc Richmond, British Columbia
Fair address: Richmond Regional Heritage Fair
Project: The Lightbulb - Who Invented the Lightbulb, Edison?
Most people don’t know this but Thomas Edison didn’t invent the lightbulb. Henry Woodward and Matthew Evans did, they are both from Canada they patented it in 1874 although they first invented it in 1873. Edison bought it from them in 1879 because they didn’t have enough money to make it commercially available.
What was the most interesting thing you learned about your topic?
I feel that the most interesting thing about my topic is how most people and most Canadians think Thomas Edison invented the lightbulb. It is important as humans to know the truth, in this case, especially for us Canadians who actually invented the lightbulb. However, I do not blame the world for believing that Thomas Edison invented the lightbulb, as Thomas Edison told the world it was his invention.
What important lessons have you learned that you want to share with other Canadians?
The main lesson here is don't lie. Even though Thomas Edison bought the rights to the lightbulb, I feel that he should have given at least some credit to the two Canadians behind the bulb. If later in my life, for some reason, I buy an invention, I will credit the actual inventors.
How would you compare your life today to the lives of those studied in your project?
Many things have changed over the years, for example now, there are lightbulbs almost everywhere. During the invention process of the lightbulb, they were in a candle lit room, ironic... Tons of people, worldwide were trying to invent the lightbulb, all in candle lit rooms.