Thomas Edison

inventor · electricity · history

Self-taught genius. Edison had very little formal schooling. He became deaf as a child and learned almost everything through books and hands-on tinkering.

Telegraph tinkerer. While working as a railroad telegrapher, he spent loads of time inventing ways to improve telegraph systems.

Young inventor. By the age of 22, he had already sold a few of his early inventions and moved to New York to focus on engineering.

Big boss. By 29, Edison owned a telegraph recorder factory in Newark with more than one hundred employees.

Inventor and businessman. With help from friends, he attracted investors and grew his company into a busy operation.