Today in History

February 11, 1846

Thomas Edison is born

1,093 patents were issued to Thomas A. Edison during his lifetime, the last at age 83. He was born February 11, 1846 in Milan, Ohio. He was nothing short of practical, saying once that he never wasted time inventing things people did not want to buy. Almost deaf since childhood, he famously remarked that genius was "one percent inspiration and 99% perspiration."

He invented the phonograph in 1877, the incandescent electric light bulb in 1879, and the kinetiscope (a forerunner of the movie projector) in the early 1900's. He invented the carbon telephone transmitter used in radio broadcasting and public address microphones as well as in early telephones. In 1878, Edison formed the Edison Electric Light Company vowing to make electricity so cheap that "only the rich will burn candles." He died in 1931.

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