Edison received his first patent for an electric vote recorder, marking the beginning of his prolific career as an inventor and patent holder.

Edison obtained over 1,000 patents in the United States and other countries throughout his career, covering a wide range of inventions in fields such as electricity, telegraphy, phonography, and motion pictures. He employed a team of lawyers to manage his patent applications and protect his intellectual property rights.

Edison was known for his aggressive approach to protecting his patents, often engaging in litigation to defend his inventions against infringement. He believed that securing and enforcing patents was essential for promoting innovation and rewarding inventors.