In the late 1870's the electric light and power were only at inventive stages. At that time Thomas Edison, with his ideas and problem solving abilities, aggressively attacked the problem. Edison understood that the electric light and power had to be viewed as an important innovation for it to evolve. His bold and encompassing inventions along with his promotional efforts brought the growth and history of electric light into use.
It was Edison's interest in technological systems that lead him to a general system of incandescent lighting in the fall of 1878. At this time, Thomas had a concept, and plans, for an underground distribution of electric light into private houses, that would replace the gas burner. It was this "lay in his early vision, far in advance of realization" that propelled Thomas Edison's inventions into everyday life.
Edison had great support and help throughout the electric light system evolution. A variety of highly talented people with various fields of specialization were the ones whom Edison integrated. He turned to these men often, but they always experimented and calculated within his guidelines. Thomas was the organizing genius and brainchild of the electric light system, but he assigned others to work on various components. The Menlo Park laboratory was where most of the work was accomplished; it was state of the art and before its time. The workers lived very close to the facilities as it was like a community. Edison also left other matters, such as financial and political, to other experts.
Thomas Edison used a systematic approach that dealt with every problem that surfaced. He knew that the cost of his new invention had to be economically competitive with gas. This was a key factor that lead him to make calculations on every part and cost during the development of the electric lighting system. When Edison was certain there would be economic gain, he then turned his attention towards the Pearl Street lighting system. In 1882 the Pearl Street lighting system became a success and provided light to the Wall Street district.
The myth that Thomas Edison was just a simple inventor can be thrown out the door. His systematic approach, tolerance to step over normal boundaries , innovative skills, problem solving ability, and many other attributes that made Edison the genius we should remember.