Nobody knows for sure who first channeled electricity in order to a make a light bulb, the popular theory is Edison. Edison may have stolen or shall we say claimed many inventions. Tesla was responsible for alternating current, but Tesla did not get all the recognition he deserved!
What he did to that elephant was disgusting, when I seen that footage many years ago I lost all respect for him! Not to mention learning many other things about him one being he was a thief who took credit for numerous inventions he did not come up with.