In the context of electrical power, what systemic breakthrough is considered more significant than the individual lightbulb?
Answer
The grid that powers millions of them
While specific inventions utilizing electricity, such as the lightbulb, are impressive achievements, the true scale of transformation comes from the supporting infrastructure. The concept of a systemic invention—an entire apparatus or network—is crucial here. The grid refers to the comprehensive system built for generating, transmitting, and applying electrical power across wide areas. This widespread availability fundamentally altered urban planning, home life, and productivity by effectively removing the barrier that night presented to continuous work in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The infrastructure itself provides the necessary foundation for countless other applications.
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