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Thomas Edison is most often credited
as the inventor of the incandescent lamp, however, he may not have been
the first. In fact, many experts assert that he really was not the first,
and some claim that for some 50 years inventors in over 20 countries had
been working on the incandescent light bulb!
But the chief opponents in this "light bulb controversy" seem
to be America's Thomas Edison and England's Joseph Swan. According to
most accounts, Swan received his patent in 1878 and Edison, in 1879. According
to historical reports, the two inventors sued each other but later settled
and co-founded the Edison and Swan United Electric Light Company.
According to intellectual property litigation attorney Joseph N. Hosteny,
this case shows that inventing a product is not all there is to it. Marketing
and publicizing it are equally important. "It seems that Edison was
a brilliant entrepreneur and self-promoter. In the 'invention game,'
simply having a patent is not enough. Many inventors are great at
coming up with brilliant ideas, and many obtain patents on their inventions.
Some even go so far as to bring their products to market -- but far
too many inventors never find the right way to promote their inventions.
Only if your invention is adequately promoted will you become successful,"
says Hosteny.
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