Edison created a very economically productive generator by "making the internal resistance much smaller than the external load." By doing so, "Edison's generator was far superior to existing electrical generators, more efficient, and capable of lighting many light bulbs." Edison placed a dynamo to keep current flowing in one direction, and with the use of the generator, he was able to light many light bulbs at a low cost.

References:
1) Jill Jonnes' Empires of Light (page 62)