Thomas Edison
Name:
Thomas Alva Edison
Born: February 11, 1847, Milan, Ohio, USA
Death: October 18, 1931
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 in his name including a stock ticker, a mechanical vote recorder, a battery for an electric car, 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
"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."