Thomas Alva Edison Biography
Thomas Alva Edison was born on February 11, 1847 in Milan, Ohio, the seventh and last child of Samuel and Nancy Edison. He had hearing problems from an early age, which may have been caused by a genetic condition or a childhood illness. He received very little formal education, attending school only for a few months. He was mostly self-taught, reading books and newspapers and experimenting with various materials and devices.
He began his career as a telegraph operator in 1863, when the telegraph industry was still developing¹. He was fascinated by the technology and invented several improvements, such as the quadruplex telegraph, which could send four messages simultaneously over one wire¹. He also developed an interest in sound recording and reproduction, and invented the phonograph, the first device that could record and play back sound¹.
In 1876, he established his first laboratory in Menlo Park, New Jersey, where he and his team of researchers and workers developed many of his famous inventions¹. He created the first practical incandescent light bulb, which revolutionized the field of electric lighting¹. He also invented the motion picture camera and the kinetoscope, which enabled the production and viewing of moving images¹. He also worked on electric power generation and distribution, and founded the Edison Electric Light Company, which later became part of General Electric¹.
Edison married twice and had six children. His first wife, Mary Stilwell, died in 1884, and he married Mina Miller in 1886¹. He moved his laboratory to West Orange, New Jersey, in 1887, where he continued to work on various projects, such as the phonograph doll, the electric pen, the nickel-iron battery, and the fluoroscope¹. He also collaborated with Henry Ford and Harvey Firestone on a botanical laboratory in Fort Myers, Florida, where he experimented with plants and rubber¹.
Edison died on October 18, 1931, at the age of 84, due to complications from diabetes¹. He was buried in the Thomas Edison National Historical Park, which preserves his West Orange laboratory and home⁵. He held 1,093 US patents and many more in other countries, making him one of the most prolific inventors in history¹. He is widely regarded as a genius and a symbol of American ingenuity and innovation¹.
If you want to know more about Thomas Alva Edison, you can visit the following sources:
- Wikipedia article: A comprehensive overview of his life, work, and legacy, with references and links to other sources.
- Britannica article: A detailed biography of his early life, inventions, and impact, with images and videos.
- National Park Service website: A source of information and resources about his West Orange laboratory and home, his inventions, and his family.
Source: Conversation with Bing, 9/20/2023
(1) Thomas Edison – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Edison.
(2) Edison Biography – Thomas Edison National Historical Park (U.S …. https://www.nps.gov/edis/learn/historyculture/edison-biography.htm.
(3) Thomas Edison – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Edison.
(4) Thomas Edison | Biography, Early Life, Inventions, & Facts. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Thomas-Edison.
(5) Edison Biography – Thomas Edison National Historical Park (U.S …. https://www.nps.gov/edis/learn/historyculture/edison-biography.htm.
(6) Thomas Edison – Wikipedia bahasa Indonesia, ensiklopedia bebas. https://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Edison.
(7) Thomas Alva Edison – Wikipédia. https://hu.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Alva_Edison.
