Thomas Alva Edison
- Born:
- February 11, 1847, Milan, Ohio, USA
- Died:
- October 18, 1931, West Orange, New Jersey, USA
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Inventor, Businessman
Early Life and Education
- Received limited formal education; largely self-taught.
- Experienced hearing problems from a young age, which eventually led to deafness.
- Began working at age 12, selling newspapers and candy on trains to support his family.
- Developed an early interest in science and experimentation.
Career and Major Achievements
- Started his career as a telegraph operator.
- Established a research and development laboratory in Menlo Park, New Jersey, which became a hub for innovation.
- Received over 1,000 patents in the United States and abroad.
- Founded numerous companies, including General Electric.
- Developed the first commercially practical incandescent light bulb.
- Invented the phonograph, motion picture camera, and improved the telegraph and telephone.
Notable Works
- Phonograph (1877)
- Incandescent Light Bulb (1879)
- Motion Picture Camera (Kinetograph) (1891)
- Alkaline Storage Battery
Legacy and Impact
Thomas Edison's inventions revolutionized life in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He is considered one of the most prolific and influential inventors in history. This entry serves as a short 'thomas edison inventor biography'. His impact on electricity, communication, and entertainment is immeasurable.