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'''Thomas Alva Edison''' was one of the greatest inventors in [[history]]. Some of his best known inventions are the light bulb, the mimeograph and phonograph. He patented over 1,000 inventions in his lifetime.  

'''Thomas Alva Edison''' was one of the greatest inventors in [[history]]. Some of his best known inventions are the light bulb, the mimeograph and phonograph. His most important invention was the central power station that provided electricity to multiple users, and became the foundation of his company, now known as [[General Electric]]. He patented over 1,000 inventions in his lifetime.  

==Childhood==

==Childhood==

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 attempted, but no one had yet been able to develop an electric lighting system that was practical and economical enough for common use.  

By 1882 Edison had established the first commercial power station, and began providing light and power to customers. In 1887, he established an electrical research and development center in West Orange, New Jersey, where he continued to work on electrical inventions and to developing technology that led to the first (silent) motion pictures. He concurrently worked on developing, then improving the phonograph, and recording equipment.

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 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. His development of central-station lighting systems for cities was focused the energy of Edison and his closest associates for months on end.

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. His development of central-station lighting systems for cities was focused the energy of Edison and his closest associates for months on end.

==Entrepreneur==

==Entrepreneur==

In the early 1880s Edison made the transition from entrepreneurial inventor to mass manufacturer and business entrepreneur. Leaving the laboratory of Menlo Park to demonstrate his electric lighting system in a “real world” context, Edison establish 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.  

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 establish 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:Edison and phonograph.jpg|right]]

[[Image:Edison and phonograph.jpg|right]]

In 1890 Thomas Edison established the Edison General Electric Company, and in 1892 Edison's company and the Thomson-Houston Company combined to form the [[General Electric]] Company, GE, which soon became (and still is) of the world's largest industrial companies.  

 

 

He moved various Edison factories to Schenectady, New York, and consolidated as the Edison General Electric Company; the new corporation manufactured many kinds of electrical equipment from lamps to electric streetcars and locomotives, making a leading industrial center. In 1892 Edison's company and the Thomson-Houston Company combined to form the [[General Electric]] Company, GE, which soon became (and still is) of the world's largest industrial companies.  

===Team members===

===Team members===

==Later years==

==Later years==

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. His inventions live on in everyday use by millions of people worldwide.

 

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."

==Religious Viewpoints==

==Religious Viewpoints==