Thomas Edison
Thomas Alva Edison (1847-1931): Innovator
A prolific inventor and shrewd businessman, Edison developed and marketed many innovative devices that greatly influenced life around the world. Edison is credited with holding 1,093 patents. He was one of the first to apply mass production in business and is often credited with creating the research laboratory. As a young man, we worked as a night telegraph operator which allowed him time to experiment. Many of his early inventions involved the telegraph; for example, the stock ticker. In 1877-1878, he developed the carbon microphone; in 1878 he patented the phonograph, and in 1879 he received a patent for the incandescent light bulb. He also invented the motion picture camera utilizing George Eastman’s invention of flexible film, as well as synchronized motion pictures. Another of his inventions was the fluoroscope using x-rays to produce radiographs. His most useful and financially successful was the invention of electric power distribution via the Edison Electric Company and later the Continental Edison Company (ConEd). During his life, Edison received many accolades.