Named after Thomas Edison, Edison "screw bases" are the most common types of light bulb bases used in the lighting industry.
American inventor Thomas Alva Edison is widely known as "the guy who invented light bulbs", although many other inventors are credited with this accomplishment as well. Regardless, it is irrefutable that he certainly contributed to the production and growth of long-lasting, electric light bulbs.
His influence on the industry has been so significant that many light bulbs are identified as having "Edison Screw Bases", or an "E" style base, typically showcasing a right-hand threaded aluminum/metal-capped base which screws into matching threaded sockets. The model that he popularized is also referred to many times as having a "Medium Screw" or "Standard Screw" base.
The most popular type of Edison bases is the E26 base, which is 26 millimeters in diameter. It is a seldom known fact that the identification of many light bulbs bases borrow from the metric system in their naming convention.
Note: Other common Edison styles bases include Candelabra Screw (E12), Intermediate Screw (E17) and Mogul Screw (E39)
This Edison/E26 base is attached to the most common types of light bulbs out there; traditionally, this was on the classic 25, 40, 60, 75 and 100 watt standard incandescents but are now being replaced by much lower wattage Compact Fluorescents (CFLs) and LEDs.
Although lighting has signficantly changed and improved since Edison made his public demonstration of his incandescent light bulb in 1879, the entire industry still recognizes his contributions every day when they refer to the Edison/Medium/Standard base type.
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Check out our guide on "How to Measure a Light Bulb"
