Thomas Edison Autograph

Profession:
(1847-1931) American inventor and businessman. He developed many devices in fields such as electric power generation, sound recording, and motion pictures.

Year of Birth: 1847

Thomas Edison was born on February 11, 1847, in Milan, Ohio. He was the youngest of seven children and the only one to receive formal education. At the age of 12, he lost most of his hearing due to scarlet fever, which had a significant impact on his early life.

Despite his hearing loss, Edison showed a keen interest in science and technology from a young age. He set up his first laboratory in the basement of his family home and conducted various experiments, often at the expense of the family's furniture and equipment.

Edison's most famous invention was the first commercially viable electric light bulb, which he patented in 1879. This invention revolutionized the way people lived and worked, and Edison became known as "The Wizard of Menlo Park" for his innovative contributions to the field of electricity.

Throughout his career, Edison held over 1,000 patents for various inventions, including the phonograph, motion pictures, and the alkaline storage battery. He also founded General Electric, which grew to become one of the largest and most successful companies in the world.

Despite his many successes, Edison faced numerous challenges in his personal and professional life. He was married twice and had six children, but his dedication to his work often strained his relationships with his family.

Thomas Edison died on October 18, 1931, in West Orange, New Jersey, at the age of 84. He is remembered as one of the greatest inventors in history, whose contributions to science and technology continue to impact the world to this day.