Final answer:
Sleep patterns before the light bulb were largely dictated by natural light, with people sleeping at night and napping during the day. The introduction of electric lighting by inventors Thomas Edison and Joseph Swan revolutionized society's sleep habits and allowed for nighttime productivity and social activities. Despite these changes, humans continue to experience circadian rhythms influencing their sleep-wake cycles.
Step-by-step explanation:
Before the invention of the light bulb, societies had different sleep patterns that relied heavily on natural light. People generally slept during the night and often took short naps during the day. The environment was mainly illuminated by fires and candles, resulting in much darker night skies that became the canvases for cultural myths and stories.
With the invention of the incandescent light bulb by Thomas Edison and Joseph Swan, there was a dramatic shift in sleep habits and social activities. The widespread adoption of electric lighting in the late 19th century allowed factories, homes, and streets to be illuminated, reducing the amount of sleep and altering the daily rhythms of society. This change was facilitated by technological innovations such as Edison's patents, Tesla's AC power system, and the establishment of the first commercial power plants.
As electricity became more prevalent, the division between day and night blurred, allowing for increased productivity in factories and the rise of urban nightlife. However, humans still possess circadian rhythms, which can make it difficult to sleep during the light and easier to sleep after dark.