Thomas Alva Edison


Thomas Alva Edison (1847-1931)

Thomas Edison, one of the greatest inventors of all time, received more than 1,300 patents for a range of items including the automatic telegraph machine, the phonograph, improvements to the light bulb, a modernized telephone, and m,otion picture equipment.  He concetrated on electrical inventions and opened his first "invention factory" in Newark, New Jersey, in 1870.  In 1876 he opened his lab in Menlo Park where he and his workers developed and patented the incandescent light bulb, a tramsitter for the telephone, and the phonograph, his favorite invention.  He operated the world's first electric power station on Pearl Street in New York City, opened in 1882.  By 1887 he expanded operations to West Orange, New Jesrsey, where workers averaged one patented invention every five days.


Additional Information Can Be Found At...

Invent Now -- Hall of Fame -- Thomas Alva Edison

Tom Edison's Home Page

Lemelson Center Invention Features: Thomas Edison

Edison's Home Page

Thomas Alva Edison Commemorative

Thomas Alva Edison's Life

Thomas Alva Edison (1847-1931)

Edison Birthplace Museum

Thomas Alva Edison as a Scientist and Inventor

Thomas A. Edison Papers


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