Thomas Edison
1847-1931 · American · Gilded Age
Known for: The Wizard of Menlo Park — inventor of the lightbulb, phonograph, and modern R&D
Created General Electric, built the first power system, established the industrial research lab model. 1,093 patents. Slept 4-5 hours nightly.
Nearly deaf (claimed it helped concentration). Ruthless in the Current War against Tesla. Terrible father. Worked until death at 84.
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