Interesting Facts about Thomas Edison

Thomas Alva Edison was born on the 11th of February, 1847 in Milan, Ohio. He was and is (even today) one of the most highly regarded American inventors. Edison's creations have helped to enhance the lives of people from all walks of life. He is responsible for the invention of several products that range from utility to the high-end sophisticated items. Here are some interesting facts about him :-

1. Thomas Edison's first inventions include an electric vote recorder and a stock ticker.

2. Thomas Edison was partially deaf. He developed this problem after he developed the scarlet fever. Though his hearing was impaired from the age of 12, he said that it did not bother him because it helped him concentrate better.

3. Thomas Edison holds around 1,093 U.S. patents as well as many other patents in the United Kingdom, Germany and France.

4. He built his own science laboratory at the age of 10. This was built in the basement of his home.


5. At the age of 14 he saved a 3 year old boy - Jimmie MacKenzie from being hit by a train at the Grand Trunk Railroad.

6.  Despite the fact that Thomas Edison has been such a great inventor, he had very humble beginnings. He even sold newspapers on trains and vegetables to be able to add to his income.


7. It has also been said that Thomas Edison tested about 6,000 vegetable growths. This was for the purpose of filaments to be used in his light bulbs.

8. Thomas Edison also invented the carbon microphone between the period 1877-1878. This was used in all the telephones.

9. Edison married his first wife Mary Stilwell at the age of 24. She was his employee. They had 3 children together. After Mary died, Edison married Mina Miller. An interesting fact about his marriage proposal to Miller was that he proposed using Morse code.

10. Thomas Edison invented the first incandescent light bulb in 1879.

11. With the invention of the phonograph in 1877, Thomas Edison soon became a known figure. He was thereafter known as 'The Wizard of Menlo Park' in New Jersey.

12. Thomas Edison was famous for the following words, 'Genius is one percent inspiration, 99 percent perspiration'.