By: Ronvin Kwan KCR

Thomas Edison was born on 11Thomas Edison was born on 11thth February 1847.February 1847.

And died at his age of 85...And died at his age of 85... He is considered one of the most He is considered one of the most

important inventors in history.important inventors in history. He held 1093 US patents and He held 1093 US patents and

many patents also in the UK, many patents also in the UK, France and Germany in his name. France and Germany in his name.

1847~ 1931

Thomas Edison was born in Thomas Edison was born in Milan, Ohio and moved to Port Milan, Ohio and moved to Port Huron, Michigan.Huron, Michigan.

He was the smallest child in the He was the smallest child in the family of seven children. family of seven children.

His father was called Samuel His father was called Samuel Ogden Edison and his mother Ogden Edison and his mother was called Nancy Matthews was called Nancy Matthews Elliot.Elliot.

n.n.

According to my research, during According to my research, during that time it was the Industrial that time it was the Industrial Revolution.Revolution.

Many inventions took place such Many inventions took place such as steam engines, etc.as steam engines, etc.

In primary school, Edison’s teacher called him In primary school, Edison’s teacher called him ‘addled’ because his character is very simple-‘addled’ because his character is very simple-minded and so called ‘stupid’ by his schoolmates.minded and so called ‘stupid’ by his schoolmates.

He got hearing problem at an early age because of He got hearing problem at an early age because of scarlet fever.scarlet fever.

His ‘addled’ which led to his 3 months of official His ‘addled’ which led to his 3 months of official schooling.schooling.

Instead of attending other schools, his mother Instead of attending other schools, his mother taught him by herself at home.taught him by herself at home.

He learned from reading R.G. Parker’s ‘School of He learned from reading R.G. Parker’s ‘School of Natural Philosophy’ and ‘The Copper Union’. Natural Philosophy’ and ‘The Copper Union’.

Edison’s careerEdison’s career Thomas Edison began his career Thomas Edison began his career

as an inventor in Newark, New as an inventor in Newark, New Jersey.Jersey.

Because his invention had been Because his invention had been presented to people, neighbors, presented to people, neighbors, public, etc, some people called public, etc, some people called him “The Wizard of Menlo Park”.him “The Wizard of Menlo Park”.

Edison’s inventions (Part 1)

Audio

Tinfoilphonograph

Wax cylinderrecorder

Voice recorder

Disc phonograph

Visual

Motion Pictures

(Part 2)Communication

Quadruplextelegraph

Telegraph transmitter

Loud Speaker-telephone

Automatictelegraph

Machineries

Ore milling

(Part 3)

Lighting

Light Bulb Electric light system

Electricity

Electric generator Electric pen

The Lab

Edison setup the world’s first industrial research and development lab in Menlo Park, New Jersey.

He was legally recognized with most of the inventions produced there.

Nearly all of his patents were utility patents, which were protected for a 17-year period and included various electrical inventions.

Successful inventor

Same as his friend Henry Ford, Edison’s true success was in his ability to maximize profits through building up of mass-production systems and intellectual property right.

He found 14 companies, including General Electric which is one of the largest public companies in the world.

The Final Years

Edison was very good in business right up to the end. Just months before his death in 1931.

He was said to have been influenced by a fad diet that was popular in the day to that in his last few years.

He died at his home. (18th October 1931)

Places named for Edison

Many places have been named after him like notably the town of Edison, in New Jersey.

2 community colleges are named for him: Edison State College in Florida and Edison Community College in Ohio.

Edison Memorial Tower and Museum, New Jersey.

Honors and Awards

Edison won the Matteucci Medal in 1887.

In 1983, the US Congress designated on 11th February, Edison’s Birthday, as National Inventor’s Day.

Thomas Edison set an good example of creativity and hard

working.

Thank you!