Thomas Edison

USA

Born in 1847 in Ohio.

💡 Did you know? Edison had barely any schooling, as a child he was deemed unteachable and was taught mostly by his mother.

light bulb

He made electric light usable in daily life.

💡 Did you know? Edison did not invent the light bulb alone but first made it practical: finding, in his words, „a thousand ways that don't work“.

phonograph

For the first time sounds could be recorded and played.

💡 Did you know? The phonograph was Edison's personal favourite invention, for the first time sound could be recorded and replayed.

over 1000 patents

More than almost anyone.

💡 Did you know? With over 1,000 patents, Edison ranks among the most prolific inventors in history.

research lab (Menlo Park)

A team systematically developed new products there.

💡 Did you know? In Menlo Park, Edison created the first industrial research laboratory: the blueprint for modern corporate R&D.

direct current

He lost to Tesla's alternating current.

💡 Did you know? In the „war of currents“ Edison backed direct current: but in the end his rival Tesla's alternating current won out.

Thomas Edison

Thomas Edison was a US inventor who shaped modern technology with the light bulb, phonograph and over 1,000 patents.

💡 Did you know? He founded the world's first industrial research lab and coined the line that genius is „1 % inspiration and 99 % perspiration“.

1847

Born: 11 February 1847 in Milan, Ohio, USA

1931

Died: 18 October 1931 in West Orange, USA, aged 84

Milan, Ohio, USA

Born: 11 February 1847 in Milan, Ohio, USA