The Inventor Thomas Edison - A Short Biography

Most people know that Thomas Edison invented the modern-day light bulb. They know that his company held over a thousand patents, but the truth of the matter is that there is so much more to Edison than his business feats. Born in rural Ohio and destined for the hustle and bustle of New York City, Edison's innovations carried him from rags to riches. The Edison family moved to Michigan when Thomas was seven. When the boy began working on the railroads at the age of thirteen, he spent much of his free time reading scientific and technical material. It wasn't uncommon for boys his age to help support their families. What separated Edison from most other youngsters, however, was his curiosity for the unknown. It was at the local rail line where Edison learned about the telegraph. At the age of sixteen, he secured a position as a full-time telegrapher and began traveling the country. Edison settled in Boston in 1868, where he invented an electronic voting machine that failed commercially. In 1869, he moved to New York. Edison dedicated years to his inventions, racking up more than one thousand patents as a result. He is especially famous for the light bulb, the phonograph, and motion picture movies. What most people don't know about Thomas Edison, however, is that he helped spur the invention of the electric chair. Edison was an intense man of many ideas and inventions, yet he also engaged in rivalries and competitions amongst his peers. Learn more about the fascinating life of Thomas Edison in this short biography.