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Electric Power and the 'War of Currents'Electric Power and the 'War of Currents'Telegraphy Career and Early InventionsTelegraphy Career and Early InventionsMain milestonesMain milestonesEarly Life and EducationEarly Life and EducationInvention Factory at Menlo ParkInvention Factory at Menlo ParkLater Inventions and Business VenturesLater Inventions and Business VenturesEdison's Laboratories and FacilitiesEdison's Laboratories and FacilitiesPersonal Life and RelationshipsPersonal Life and RelationshipsHealth and Final YearsHealth and Final YearsPatents and Intellectual PropertyPatents and Intellectual PropertyPublic Image and LegacyPublic Image and Legacy
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Thomas Edison - American inventor and businessman (1847–1931)

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03.04.25
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Overview

Thomas Alva Edison, a name synonymous with innovation and invention, was one of America's most prolific inventors and astute businessmen. His insatiable curiosity, relentless work ethic, and entrepreneurial spirit led to the development of groundbreaking technologies that transformed society. This timeline highlights key moments in his life, tracing his journey from a curious boy to a global icon.
Main Milestones
Birth in Milan, Ohio
February 11, 1847
Thomas Alva Edison was born in Milan, Ohio, the seventh and last child of Samuel Ogden Edison Jr. and Nancy Matthews Elliott. He was nicknamed 'Al' during his childhood. Little did anyone know that this child, who struggled with formal schooling, would revolutionize the world with his inventions.
The Newsboy Entrepreneur
1859 - 1863
At the young age of 12, Edison began working as a newsboy on the Grand Trunk Railway, selling newspapers, candies, and snacks to passengers. Showing early signs of his entrepreneurial drive, he also started his own business selling vegetables and even published his own newspaper, the 'Grand Trunk Herald,' becoming one of the first people to use movable type on a train.
Saving a Child, Learning Telegraphy
1862
Edison saved a young child from being hit by a runaway train. The child's grateful father, J.U. Mackenzie, who was a station agent, taught Edison telegraphy as a reward. This skill would prove to be instrumental in Edison's early career and later inventions.
First Patent and Early Inventions
1869
Edison received his first patent for an electric vote recorder. Although the invention was not commercially successful, it motivated him to continue inventing and to focus on inventions that met real societal needs. He then developed an improved stock ticker, which he sold for a significant sum, providing him with capital to establish his own workshop.
Menlo Park Laboratory
1876
Edison established his famous invention laboratory in Menlo Park, New Jersey. This facility, often referred to as the 'invention factory,' became a hub for innovation and collaboration, where Edison and his team worked tirelessly on various inventions. This was a major turning point, allowing him to dedicate himself fully to research and development.
The Phonograph
1877
Edison invented the phonograph, a device for recording and reproducing sound. This invention brought him instant fame and cemented his reputation as a leading inventor. The phonograph marked a significant milestone in the history of sound recording and entertainment.
The Incandescent Light Bulb
1879
After numerous experiments, Edison and his team successfully created a practical and long-lasting incandescent light bulb. This invention revolutionized the world, bringing electric light to homes, businesses, and streets, fundamentally changing the way people lived and worked.
Pearl Street Station
1882
Edison established the Pearl Street Station in New York City, the world's first commercial central power plant. This system provided electricity to homes and businesses in a small section of Manhattan, marking the beginning of the widespread adoption of electric power.
West Orange Laboratory
1887
Edison moved his laboratory to West Orange, New Jersey, creating an even larger and more sophisticated research facility. This laboratory allowed him to expand his research into various fields, including motion pictures, improved phonographs, and ore milling.
The Kinetoscope
1891
Edison's laboratory developed the Kinetoscope, an early motion picture exhibition device. Though not the first to experiment with moving images, Edison's Kinetoscope played a crucial role in the development of the film industry. Viewers could watch short films through a peephole, a novel experience at the time.
Death in West Orange, New Jersey
October 18, 1931
Thomas Alva Edison died at his home, Glenmont, in West Orange, New Jersey, at the age of 84. His contributions to science and technology left an indelible mark on the world, and his legacy continues to inspire inventors and entrepreneurs today. He received 1,093 patents in the United States alone and left behind a world drastically transformed by his ingenuity.

Other Themed Timelines

Early Life and EducationEarly Life and EducationEdison's Laboratories and FacilitiesEdison's Laboratories and FacilitiesElectric Power and the 'War of Currents'Electric Power and the 'War of Currents'Health and Final YearsHealth and Final YearsInvention Factory at Menlo ParkInvention Factory at Menlo ParkLater Inventions and Business VenturesLater Inventions and Business VenturesPatents and Intellectual PropertyPatents and Intellectual PropertyPersonal Life and RelationshipsPersonal Life and RelationshipsPublic Image and LegacyPublic Image and LegacyTelegraphy Career and Early InventionsTelegraphy Career and Early Inventions
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