Final answer:
Thomas Edison performed numerous experiments, reportedly testing over six thousand materials for the lightbulb filament, before inventing the practical incandescent light bulb.
Step-by-step explanation:
Thomas Edison's journey toward inventing the practical incandescent light bulb was marked by significant experimentation and development. Although the exact number of experiments Edison conducted is not definitively documented, he is known to have tested over six thousand different materials for the lightbulb filament before settling on carbonized cotton thread. His iterative process, which embodies his famous quote that "genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration," resulted in creating a safe, reliable, and economical electric light source that was suitable for indoor use, challenging the dominance of gas lighting and carbon arc lamps. Alongside developing the lightbulb, Edison's lab worked on a comprehensive system of electric lighting, including dynamos, fuses, and switches, which contributed to the creation of the first commercial power plants and the electrification of homes, factories, and cities.