thomas edison
the inventor of the lightbulb
the wizard of menlo park
Thomas Edison was one of the greatest inventors of all time. At the end of his life, he registered 1,093 patents including the phonograph, stock ticker, and lightbulb.
early, middle, and later life
Early Life
Thomas Alva Edison was born on February 11, 1847, in Milan, Ohio. He started a newspaper business when he was 12 and never looked back.
Middle Life
Edison became a telegrapher for the Union during the Civil War then worked at the Gold Reporting Company and soon became a full time inventor.
Later Life
Until the end of his life, Edison registered 1,093 patents and is still remembered as one of the greatest inventors of all time.
some of edison's inventions
lightbulb
Edison first invented the lightbulb using an ordinary piece of thread with soot rubbed on it, then he put it in a glass bulb, and sealed it.
phonograph
The phonograph was the first voice recorder and was actually the first invention that made him famous.
gold and stock ticker
The Gold and Stock ticker that Edison invented was so good that Western Union bought the whole company that he was working at just for the invention.
fun facts
Edison was very sick as a child and caught scarlet fever
He was a telegrapher for the Union during the Civil War
Thomas made a homemade telegraph that stretched half a mile with his best friend.
Edison totaled 1,093 patents when he died