Thomas Edison

Name: Thomas Alva Edison

Born: February 11, 1847, Milan, Ohio, USA

Death: October 18, 1931 (Age: 84)

Computer-related contributions

• American inventor and businessman.
• Developed the phonograph, the Kinetoscope (a motion picture camera), and a long-lasting, and practical electric light bulb.
• One of the first inventors to apply the principles of mass production and large teamwork to the process of invention.
• The fourth most prolific inventor in history, holding 1,093 US patents including a stock ticker, vote recorder, electric car battery, electrical power, recorded music, and motion pictures.
• Edison originated the concept and implementation of electric-power generation and distribution to homes, businesses, and factories.
• Edison founded 14 companies, including General Electric, which is still in existence as one of the largest publicly traded companies in the world.

Honors and awards

• In 2011, Edison was inducted into the Entrepreneur Walk of Fame.
• In 2010, Edison was honored with a Technical Grammy Award.
• Edison was ranked thirty-fifth on Michael H. Hart's 1978 book The 100, a list of the most influential figures in history.

Quotes

"Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time."

"Genius is one percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent perspiration."

"Anything that won't sell, I don't want to invent. Its sale is proof of utility, and utility is success."

"I am proud of the fact that I never invented weapons to kill."