Who discovered the lightbulb? If you answered “Thomas Edison,” you’re not alone—and you’re also not quite right.

Despite conventional wisdom that associates great inventions with lone geniuses, breakthrough inventions are team efforts. Incandescent light bulbs existed before Edison was born. His patent built on prior versions of the light bulb, aiming to make it practical and affordable. Even then, it wasn’t a solo achievement—Edison collaborated with a team of skilled collaborators, known as the “Muckers,” whose contributions have largely faded from memory. Yet it was Edison’s name on the patent, and that’s the version of history that stuck.

We’re suckers for lone genius narratives like Edison’s—the brilliant scientist, the fearless military general, or the savvy CEO. The version of his

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