America 250: Thomas Edison
Thomas Edison's perseverance and determination made him one of the greatest American inventors the world has ever seen.
Thomas Edison (1847鈥�1931) was an American inventor and businessman who held more than 1,000 U.S. patents. He had little formal schooling as a child and largely educated himself through reading and experimentation. His first major success came in 1869 with an improved stock ticker known as the Universal Stock Printer. Edison later developed key technologies including the phonograph, motion picture camera, and practical incandescent light bulb. He also worked on innovations such as nickel-iron storage batteries and cement production, expanding his influence beyond electricity and communications. In 1928, Edison was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for his contributions to science and industry.