Names are cognitive shortcuts for causal chains. "Edison invented the light bulb" is a compressed theory of how technology develops. It's wrong, and the compression makes it efficient — which makes it durable. Draws on Kuhn (paradigms), Merton (Matthew Effect), and Stigler (Law of Eponymy).
Appears across 2 pieces (1 defined it · 1 discussed it in essays): when this term was part of the conversation. First surfaces May 2026.
