Thomas Alva Edison (February 11, 1847 – October 18, 1931) was an American inventor and businessman. He developed many devices that greatly influenced life around the world, including the phonograph, the motion picture camera, and a long-lasting, practical electric light bulb. Dubbed “The Wizard of Menlo Park” (now Edison, New Jersey) by a newspaper reporter, he was one of the first inventors to apply the principles of mass production and large teamwork to the process of invention, and therefore is often credited with the creation of the first industrial research laboratory.

Edison is the fourth most prolific inventor in history, holding 1,093 US patents in his name, as well as many patents in the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. He is credited with numerous inventions that contributed to mass communication and, in particular, telecommunications. These included a stock ticker, a mechanical vote recorder, a battery for an electric car, electrical power, recorded music and motion pictures.

His advanced work in these fields was an outgrowth of his early career as a telegraph operator. Edison originated the concept and implementation of electric-power generation and distribution to homes, businesses, and factories – a crucial development in the modern industrialized world. His first power station was on Manhattan Island, New York.

Born:
Thomas Alva Edison
February 11, 1847
Milan, Ohio, United States

Died:
October 18, 1931 (aged 84)
West Orange, New Jersey, USA
Occupation: Inventor, Scientist, Businessman

Religion:
Deist

Spouse(s):
Mary Stilwell (m. 1871–1884)
Mina Miller (m. 1886–1931)

Children:
1.) Marion Estelle Edison (1873–1965)
2.)Thomas Alva Edison Jr. (1876–1935)
3.) William Leslie Edison (1878–1937)
4.) Madeleine Edison (1888–1979)
5.) Charles Edison (1890–1969)
6.) Theodore Miller Edison (1898–1992)

Parents:
Samuel Ogden Edison, Jr. (1804–1896)
Nancy Matthews Elliott (1810–1871)

Relatives:
Lewis Miller (father-in-law)

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