_(2).jpg)
Thomas Edison
1847–1931 · Inventor & Businessman
An American inventor and businessman who held 1,093 U.S. patents and led teams that developed practical electric lighting, sound recording and motion-picture technology.
“Genius is hard work, stick-to-it-iveness, and common sense.”
Why is this scientist famous?
Developing a practical electric-lighting system, inventing the phonograph and leading important work on early motion-picture technology.
Edison and his laboratory teams developed a commercially practical incandescent-lighting system that included lamps, generators, wiring, switches and meters. He also invented the phonograph and directed extensive work on early motion-picture technology. His Menlo Park laboratory became an influential model for organised industrial research and development.
Thomas's story
Early Life
Born in 1847 in Milan, Ohio, Edison had little formal schooling — his mother taught him at home after a teacher called him "addled." He was curious and entrepreneurial from a young age, selling newspapers and candy on trains and starting his own newspaper at 12.
The Wizard of Menlo Park
Edison established one of the earliest purpose-built industrial research laboratories in Menlo Park, New Jersey, in 1876. Instead of inventing alone, he employed teams of engineers and mechanics to develop ideas systematically. This approach — the modern R&D lab — was itself one of his most influential inventions.
The Light Bulb
Edison did not invent the first incandescent lamp. Many inventors had already experimented with electric lighting. At Menlo Park, Edison and his team developed a durable high-resistance incandescent lamp and, crucially, an integrated electrical system for generating, distributing and controlling power. In 1882 his Pearl Street station began supplying electricity to customers in lower Manhattan.
Phonograph and Film
Edison invented the phonograph in 1877, the first practical device able to record and reproduce sound. At his later West Orange laboratory, work directed by Edison and carried out by employees including W. K. L. Dickson produced the kinetograph motion-picture camera and kinetoscope viewer. Edison also made important improvements to telephone transmitters and other electrical technologies.
What did they discover?
Practical Electric-Lighting System
Edison and his laboratory team developed a practical incandescent lamp together with generators, wiring, switches, meters and other equipment needed for a commercially usable electric-lighting system.
The Phonograph
Invented the first device capable of recording and reproducing sound in 1877, laying the foundation for the music industry.
The Motion Picture Camera
Edison's laboratory, with major technical work by W. K. L. Dickson and colleagues, developed the kinetograph camera and kinetoscope viewer during the early development of motion pictures.
The Modern Research Laboratory
Established an influential purpose-built research laboratory at Menlo Park, where teams of skilled employees worked systematically on inventions and improvements.
Amazing facts
He received 1,093 U.S. patents during his lifetime, as well as hundreds of patents in other countries.
Edison experienced severe hearing loss from a young age. The exact cause remains uncertain.
His first successful invention was an improved stock ticker that sold for $40,000 — worth about $900,000 today.
Edison's companies promoted direct current during the 'War of the Currents', while George Westinghouse and others promoted alternating current.
His last breath is reportedly preserved in a sealed test tube at the Henry Ford Museum (though the story is disputed).
Edison was famous for long working sessions and often worked alongside his laboratory staff late into the night.
Timeline
Born in Milan, Ohio on February 11
Started selling newspapers and candy on trains; began experiments in a baggage car
Received his first U.S. patent, for an electric vote recorder, and moved to New York
Established his research laboratory at Menlo Park, New Jersey
Invented the phonograph, the first device to record and play back sound
Edison and his team demonstrated a durable incandescent lamp as part of their developing electric-lighting system
Opened the Pearl Street power station in Manhattan, launching the electric utility industry
Edison's laboratory began intensive development of motion-picture technology that led to the kinetograph and kinetoscope
Died in West Orange, New Jersey on October 18, age 84
Awards & honours
Related Super Scientists
Nikola Tesla
1856–1943 · Inventor & Engineer
Developing the polyphase alternating-current system and induction motor, and pioneering high-frequency and wireless technologies.
Michael Faraday
1791–1867 · Physicist & Chemist
Discovered electromagnetic induction and created pioneering devices that became the foundations of the electric motor, transformer and generator.
Grace Hopper
1906–1992 · Computer Scientist & Naval Admiral
Developing one of the earliest compilers and pioneering word-based programming languages that helped make computers easier to program.
