The invention of the lightbulb is primarily attributed to Thomas Edison, who developed the first commercially practical incandescent lightbulb in 1879. However, it's important to note that the electric light was an idea that had been explored by various inventors before Edison, including Sir Humphry Davy and Joseph Swan. Swan, a British inventor, created a working incandescent bulb around the same period as Edison. Edison's improvements, including a better filament and a vacuum inside the bulb, led to its widespread use. His patent and subsequent development of electrical systems played a crucial role in the lightbulb's success and adoption.