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[[Image:Edison-dynamo.jpg|thumb|360px|right|Dynamo at Pearl Street power station, 1882]]

[[Image:Edison-dynamo.jpg|thumb|360px|right|Dynamo at Pearl Street power station, 1882]]

Thomas Alva Edison was born on Feb 11, 1847 in Milan, [[Ohio]]. His parents, Samuel Ogden Edison, Jr. and Nancy Matthews Elliott, had seven children, Thomas was the youngest.  Three of his siblings died in childhood.<ref>http://www.nps.gov/archive/edis/home_family/fam_album.htm#sammy</ref>

Thomas Alva Edison was born on Feb 11, 1847, in Milan, [[Ohio]]. His parents, Samuel Ogden Edison, Jr. and Nancy Matthews Elliott, had seven children, Thomas was the youngest.  Three of his siblings died in childhood.<ref>http://www.nps.gov/archive/edis/home_family/fam_album.htm#sammy</ref>

In 1854, his family moved to Port Huron, [[Michigan]], where the family remained while Thomas was growing up.  

In 1854, his family moved to Port Huron, [[Michigan]], where the family remained while Thomas was growing up.  

Edison's mother, Nancy, was born in [[New York]] and raised in [[New England]]. Her family were [[Presbyterian]]s, her father was a minister in their church and deeply religious man. They stressed the importance of education to young Nancy, who went on to earn a teaching degree.

Edison's mother, Nancy, was born in [[New York]] and raised in [[New England]]. Her family were [[Presbyterian]]s, her father was a minister in their church and a deeply religious man. They stressed the importance of education to young Nancy, who went on to earn a teaching degree.

==Education==

==Education==

Edison was also an entrepreneur, and as a child made spending money by selling newspapers, candy, and fresh produce. As a teenager, in 1860, he decided to publish his own newspaper, ''"The Weekly Herald"'' which made a profit on its first edition and each one thereafter, and focused on political news and the United States Presidential debates between [[Abraham Lincoln]] and Senator [[Stephen A. Douglas]]. Edison agreed with Lincoln's stance on emancipation, and volunteered to work for his campaign office, distributing campaign literature on his behalf.  

Edison was also an entrepreneur, and as a child made spending money by selling newspapers, candy, and fresh produce. As a teenager, in 1860, he decided to publish his own newspaper, ''"The Weekly Herald"'' which made a profit on its first edition and each one thereafter, and focused on political news and the United States Presidential debates between [[Abraham Lincoln]] and Senator [[Stephen A. Douglas]]. Edison agreed with Lincoln's stance on emancipation, and volunteered to work for his campaign office, distributing campaign literature on his behalf.  

Thomas was used to taking the initiative to learn on his own, and had a very inquisitive nature, a strong desire to learn, an excellent memory, and the ability to understand complex concepts. He considered his hearing loss to work in his favor, as he was not distracted by outside noises and able to concentrate on his own thoughts. His hearing loss increased over time, and in later years he lost all hearing in his left ear and about 80% of the hearing in his right ear.  

Thomas was used to taking the initiative to learn on his own, and had a very inquisitive nature, a strong desire to learn, an excellent memory, and the ability to understand complex concepts. He considered his hearing loss to work in his favor, as he was not distracted by outside noises and was able to concentrate on his own thoughts. His hearing loss increased over time, and in later years he lost all hearing in his left ear and about 80% of the hearing in his right ear.  

At 15 years of age, Edison learned [[Morse Code]] and was hired as a telegraph operator in several telegraph offices, then took a job with the Western Union Company in Boston. He chose to move far from home as he felt Boston had a strong scientific community. He was known as a hard worker and routinely worked 12 hour days, 6 days a week. In the evenings after work, he developed his own inventions.

At 15 years of age, Edison learned [[Morse Code]] and was hired as a telegraph operator in several telegraph offices, then took a job with the Western Union Company in Boston. He chose to move far from home as he felt Boston had a strong scientific community. He was known as a hard worker and routinely worked 12-hour days, 6 days a week. In the evenings after work, he developed his own inventions.

He obtained his first patent on his first "real" invention, an automatic vote-recording machine. However, as with many inventors' first attempts, it was not well received and turned out to be unmarketable. This was not because it did not work; it worked well, it was because the market was not receptive to the invention.  While in Boston, Edison attended several lectures at Boston Tech ([[Massachusetts Institute of Technology|MIT]]); in 1869 he relocated to New York City.

He obtained his first patent on his first "real" invention, an automatic vote-recording machine. However, as with many inventors' first attempts, it was not well received and turned out to be unmarketable. This was not because it did not work; it worked well, it was because the market was not receptive to the invention.  While in Boston, Edison attended several lectures at Boston Tech ([[Massachusetts Institute of Technology|MIT]]); in 1869 he relocated to New York City.

In 1876 Edison left his Newark lab and established a laboratory in Menlo Park, New Jersey, where he earned the nickname ''"The Wizard of Menlo Park"''. The following year, in 1877, he invented the first [[phonograph]]. The tin foil phonograph was the first machine that could record and reproduce sound. This invention brought him worldwide recognition and acclaim and he was invited to meet U.S. President [[Rutherford B. Hayes]] in the [[White House]].  In the winter, he vacationed (and operated a lab) in [[Fort Myers, Florida]] (industrialist [[Henry Ford]], who considered Edison his mentor, would purchase a house next to him in Fort Myers; the two houses are now owned by the city as a tourist attraction).<ref>https://www.edisonfordwinterestates.org/about/historical-people-places/</ref>

In 1876 Edison left his Newark lab and established a laboratory in Menlo Park, New Jersey, where he earned the nickname ''"The Wizard of Menlo Park"''. The following year, in 1877, he invented the first [[phonograph]]. The tin foil phonograph was the first machine that could record and reproduce sound. This invention brought him worldwide recognition and acclaim and he was invited to meet U.S. President [[Rutherford B. Hayes]] in the [[White House]].  In the winter, he vacationed (and operated a lab) in [[Fort Myers, Florida]] (industrialist [[Henry Ford]], who considered Edison his mentor, would purchase a house next to him in Fort Myers; the two houses are now owned by the city as a tourist attraction).<ref>https://www.edisonfordwinterestates.org/about/historical-people-places/</ref>

In 1879, Edison developed the first working incandescent electric light bulb. The original idea for the light bulb had already been proposed, and different versions attempted, but no one had yet been able to develop an electric lighting system that was practical and economical enough for common use.

In 1879, Edison developed the first working incandescent electric light bulb. The original idea for the light bulb had already been proposed, and different versions were attempted, but no one had yet been able to develop an electric lighting system that was practical and economical enough for common use.

Edison developed the incandescent light bulb through [[trial-and-error]]:<ref>http://edisonmuseum.org/content3399.html</ref>

Edison developed the incandescent light bulb through [[trial-and-error]]:<ref>http://edisonmuseum.org/content3399.html</ref>

{{cquote|Edison and his assistants tested more than 6,000 plant materials as possible contenders for light bulb elements. Ultimately, carbonized bamboo (the bamboo was from Japan) proved the right choice because when cut to the proper dimensions and carbonized it incandesced for more than 1,200 hours when electrified. Bamboo also became a “convenient” choice at this particular point in the experimentation timeline. The use of bamboo helped Edison bypass some law suits involving other inventors who had developed the same procedure using carbonized thread.

{{cquote|Edison and his assistants tested more than 6,000 plant materials as possible contenders for light bulb elements. Ultimately, carbonized bamboo (the bamboo was from Japan) proved the right choice because when cut to the proper dimensions and carbonized it incandesced for more than 1,200 hours when electrified. Bamboo also became a “convenient” choice at this particular point in the experimentation timeline. The use of bamboo helped Edison bypass some lawsuits involving other inventors who had developed the same procedure using carbonized thread.

   

   

So, a practical, commercial incandescent lamp was built and functioning. Now Edison had to complete the task with developing a “system” for the distribution of electric light in small units.}}  

So, a practical, commercial incandescent lamp was built and functioning. Now Edison had to complete the task with developing a “system” for the distribution of electric light in small units.}}  

By 1882 Edison had established the first commercial power station, and began providing light and power to customers. from his revolutionary plant on Pearl Street in New York City; it was the first central electric light and power plant in the world. He also built and operated an experimental electric railroad and produced a superior storage battery of iron and nickel with an alkaline electrolyte.

By 1882 Edison had established the first commercial power station, and began providing light and power to customers. from his revolutionary plant on Pearl Street in New York City; it was the first central electric light and power plant in the world. He also built and operated an experimental electric railroad and produced a superior storage battery of iron and nickel with an alkaline electrolyte.

In 1887 Edison moved his vast organization to West Orange, N.J., and thereafter devoted most of his time to its management. Along with a team of engineers he personally helped invent the first motion pictures. He concurrently worked on developing, then improving the phonograph, and recording equipment.  In 1891 Edison patented the kinetoscope and the vitascope; having purchased the patent for a projector invented by Thomas Armat, he made the first commercial showing of motion pictures, at in New York City, on April 23, 1896. In 1913 he demonstrated the synchronization of moving pictures and sound, laying the foundation for the talking motion picture

In 1887 Edison moved his vast organization to West Orange, N.J., and thereafter devoted most of his time to its management. Along with a team of engineers, he personally helped invent the first motion pictures. He concurrently worked on developing, then improving the phonograph, and recording equipment.  In 1891 Edison patented the kinetoscope and the vitascope; having purchased the patent for a projector invented by Thomas Armat, he made the first commercial showing of motion pictures, at in New York City, on April 23, 1896. In 1913 he demonstrated the synchronization of moving pictures and sound, laying the foundation for the talking motion picture

[[Image:Phonograph-edison.jpg|thumb|280px|1889 phonograph; battery is on left]]

[[Image:Phonograph-edison.jpg|thumb|280px|1889 phonograph; battery is on left]]

In 1878-81 Edison was at the peak of his intellectual powers. He sought solutions to technological problems through scientific investigations, experimented with multiple ways of technical problem solving, calculated costs and pricing, established methods of production, evaluated the character of potential business partners, negotiated contracts and business partnerships one day and raved back to the lab to scrutinize technical details the next.

In 1878-81 Edison was at the peak of his intellectual powers. He sought solutions to technological problems through scientific investigations, experimented with multiple ways of technical problem solving, calculated costs and pricing, established methods of production, evaluated the character of potential business partners, negotiated contracts and business partnerships one day and raced back to the lab to scrutinize technical details the next.

===Generating electricity===

===Generating electricity===

==Entrepreneur==

==Entrepreneur==

In the early 1880s Edison made the transition from entrepreneurial inventor to mass manufacturer and business entrepreneur.  

In the early 1880s, Edison made the transition from entrepreneurial inventor to mass manufacturer and business entrepreneur.  

Leaving the laboratory to demonstrate his electric lighting system in a “real world” context, Edison established   his system in Britain and in Europe. He delegated much of the work to his most trusted assistants and hired talented new associates. Edison steadily improved his business acumen, the court system (where many patent suits were decided), the media, and his judgment of people's character. As always he relied on his intuitive ability to solve technological problems one step at a time.  

Leaving the laboratory to demonstrate his electric lighting system in a “real world” context, Edison established his system in Britain and in Europe. He delegated much of the work to his most trusted assistants and hired talented new associates. Edison steadily improved his business acumen, the court system (where many patent suits were decided), the media, and his judgment of people's character. As always he relied on his intuitive ability to solve technological problems one step at a time.  

[[Image:Dictaphone-edison.jpg|thumb|270px]]

[[Image:Dictaphone-edison.jpg|thumb|270px]]

===Team members===

===Team members===

Key members of Edison's team included Charles Batchelor, who supervised the construction of a highly visible exhibit at the Paris Exposition as well as several commercial installations on the Continent. Francis Upton, a university trained mathematician, managed the lamp production factory, where continuous improvement was required, first in Menlo Park and then the larger operation in Harrison, New Jersey. Francis Jehl, who began as a young lab assistant, first worked on the development of the electric meter and then oversaw the installation of Edison's lighting system in Brunn, Austria, and started a lamp factory in the same town, all by the age of twenty-three. [[Samuel Insull]] was just twenty when he joined Edison in 1881 as private secretary and within the two years became Edison's personal financial manager, a trusted advisor, and an officer of various Edison companies.

Key members of Edison's team included Charles Batchelor, who supervised the construction of a highly visible exhibit at the Paris Exposition as well as several commercial installations on the Continent. Francis Upton, a university-trained mathematician, managed the lamp production factory, where continuous improvement was required, first in Menlo Park and then the larger operation in Harrison, New Jersey. Francis Jehl, who began as a young lab assistant, first worked on the development of the electric meter and then oversaw the installation of Edison's lighting system in Brunn, Austria, and started a lamp factory in the same town, all by the age of twenty-three. [[Samuel Insull]] was just twenty when he joined Edison in 1881 as private secretary and within the two years became Edison's personal financial manager, a trusted advisor, and an officer of various Edison companies.

[[Image:Edison1925.jpg|thumb|320px|left]]

[[Image:Edison1925.jpg|thumb|320px|left]]

With the outbreak of World War I, Edison concentrated his laboratory on military projects, finding substitutes for drugs, dyes, and chemicals that had previously been imported from Germany. He developed a process for making synthetic [[carbolic acid]], [[coal tar]] products necessary for the manufacture of explosives, and many safety devices. He also served as head of the Navy Consulting Board. After the war Edison was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.

With the outbreak of World War I, Edison concentrated his laboratory on military projects, finding substitutes for drugs, dyes, and chemicals that had previously been imported from Germany. He developed a process for making synthetic [[carbolic acid]], [[coal tar]] products necessary for the manufacture of explosives, and many safety devices. He also served as head of the Navy Consulting Board. After the war Edison was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Edison gained worldwide acclaim for his inventions. He continued working even with advancing age and in frail health, amassing a total of 1093 patents, more than any other inventor at that time. His last patent was obtained at age 83. He died at age 84, Oct 18th, 1931 in New Jersey. Three days later on the night of October 21, as a national tribute proclaimed by President Herbert Hoover, millions of Americans turned out their lights to plunge the country into momentary darkness.  His inventions live on in everyday use by millions of people worldwide.  When someone called him a genius, Edison made the famous reply, "Genius is 1 percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration."

Edison gained worldwide acclaim for his inventions. He continued working even with advancing age and in frail health, amassing a total of 1093 patents, more than any other inventor at that time. His last patent was obtained at age 83. He died at age 84, Oct 18, 1931, in New Jersey. Three days later on the night of October 21, as a national tribute proclaimed by President Herbert Hoover, millions of Americans turned out their lights to plunge the country into momentary darkness.  His inventions live on in everyday use by millions of people worldwide.  When someone called him a genius, Edison made the famous reply, "Genius is 1 percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration."

{{Clear}}

{{Clear}}

== External links ==

== External links ==

[[Image:Movie-edison.jpg|thumb|320px|Sound movies: 1913 Edison's Kinetophone. The viewer looks at film through the peep-hole while listening to the accompanying phonograph through two rubber ear tubes. The 1895 version worked poorly; this one was dropped because labor contracts required a union operator to be present.<ref>See [http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/bledison_kinetoscope.htm Kinetophones]</ref>]]  

[[Image:Movie-edison.jpg|thumb|320px|Sound movies: 1913 Edison's Kinetophone. The viewer looks at the film through the peephole while listening to the accompanying phonograph through two rubber ear tubes. The 1895 version worked poorly; this one was dropped because labor contracts required a union operator to be present.<ref>See [http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/bledison_kinetoscope.htm Kinetophones]</ref>]]  

* [http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/edhtml/edbiohm.html Library of Congress]

* [http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/edhtml/edbiohm.html Library of Congress]

* [http://edison.rutgers.edu/biogrphy.htm Rutgers University]

* [http://edison.rutgers.edu/biogrphy.htm Rutgers University]

==Bibliography==

==Bibliography==

* Israel, Paul. ''Edison: A Life of Invention'' (2000), 552pp; the standard scholarly biography [https://www.amazon.com/Edison-Life-Invention-Paul-Israel/dp/0471362700/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1229892178&sr=8-7 excerpt and text search]

* Israel, Paul. ''Edison: A Life of Invention'' (2000), 552pp; the standard scholarly biography [https://www.amazon.com/Edison-Life-Invention-Paul-Israel/dp/0471362700/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1229892178&sr=8-7 excerpt and text search]

* Israel, Paul, and Robert Friedel,. ''Edison's Electric Light'' (1986), scholarly study

* Israel, Paul, and Robert Friedel, ''Edison's Electric Light'' (1986), scholarly study

* Jones,  Francis Arthur. ''Thomas Alva Edison: Sixty Years of an Inventor's Life‎'' (1908) 362 pages; [https://books.google.com/books?id=6pkNAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA298&dq=intitle:thomas+intitle:edison&lr=&num=30&as_brr=1&as_pt=ALLTYPES full text online]

* Jones,  Francis Arthur. ''Thomas Alva Edison: Sixty Years of an Inventor's Life‎'' (1908) 362 pages; [https://books.google.com/books?id=6pkNAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA298&dq=intitle:thomas+intitle:edison&lr=&num=30&as_brr=1&as_pt=ALLTYPES full text online]

* Jones, Jill. ''Empires of Light: Edison, Tesla, Westinghouse, and the Race to Electrify the World.'' (2003) 430pp

* Jones, Jill. ''Empires of Light: Edison, Tesla, Westinghouse, and the Race to Electrify the World.'' (2003) 430pp

* McFee, Inez Nellie Canfield. ''The Story of Thomas A. Edison‎'' (1922) 182 pages; popular; [https://books.google.com/books?id=KqMDAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=intitle:thomas+intitle:edison&lr=&num=30&as_brr=1&as_pt=ALLTYPES online edition]

* McFee, Inez Nellie Canfield. ''The Story of Thomas A. Edison‎'' (1922) 182 pages; popular; [https://books.google.com/books?id=KqMDAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=intitle:thomas+intitle:edison&lr=&num=30&as_brr=1&as_pt=ALLTYPES online edition]

* Millard, Andre. ''Edison and the Business of Innovation'' (1990), strong scholarly study

* Millard, Andre. ''Edison and the Business of Innovation'' (1990), a strong scholarly study

* Stross, Randall E. '' The Wizard of Menlo Park: How Thomas Alva Edison Invented the Modern World‎'' (2007) 376 pages; a debunking account that says his inventions were exaggerated and that after 1882 Edison was mostly a PR genius

* Stross, Randall E. '' The Wizard of Menlo Park: How Thomas Alva Edison Invented the Modern World‎'' (2007) 376 pages; a debunking account that says his inventions were exaggerated and that after 1882 Edison was mostly a PR genius

* Wasik, John F. ''The Merchant of Power: Sam Insull, Thomas Edison, and the Creation of the Modern Metropolis'' (2006) 280pp  

* Wasik, John F. ''The Merchant of Power: Sam Insull, Thomas Edison, and the Creation of the Modern Metropolis'' (2006) 280pp