If I recall correctly, that one was about developing a better filament. I believe the winner was carbonized bamboo fibers. And the filament was the only part of Edison's initial bulb patent that proved to be novel on later examination.

The most lasting contribution Edison made to the light bulb was the screw-in base, with one contact at the bottom and the other in the shell. But even then, there were a lot of alternative designs, as Edison was a real ass when it came to licensing.

But he didn't brute-force far enough to develop the tungsten filament, did he?