Invention and enterprise · United States · 1847–1931
Thomas Edison Life & Career Timeline
Industrial research, recorded sound, electric light and moving pictures.
18 MomentsGet your own timeline now — free
18471859187118831895190719191931
TEThomas EdisonInvention and enterprise · United States
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About Thomas Edison
Thomas Edison organised invention at laboratory scale and helped build systems that reshaped sound, power and visual media.
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Thomas Edison biography
Thomas Edison timeline: key events
Explore 18 documented Moments in chronological order. Read the dates, locations and source references below. Where available, additional context explains why a milestone matters.
Born in Ohio
Thomas Alva Edison was born in a canal town in northern Ohio.
Source: www.nps.govMoves to Michigan
The Edison family moved to Port Huron, where Thomas was largely educated at home.
Source: www.nps.govRailway newsboy and experimenter
Work on the railway funded early chemical and electrical experiments.
Source: www.nps.govLearns telegraphy
After helping a station agent’s child, Edison was trained as a telegraph operator.
Source: www.nps.govFirst patent
Edison patented an electric vote recorder, beginning a record of more than a thousand US patents.
Source: www.nps.govMarries Mary Stilwell
Family life began as Edison’s manufacturing work expanded.
Source: www.nps.govMenlo Park laboratory
Edison created one of the first industrial research laboratories.
Source: www.nps.govThe phonograph
A device that recorded and reproduced sound made Edison internationally famous.
Source: www.nps.govEdison Electric Light Company
Edison organised a company to develop a practical electric-lighting system.
Source: www.nps.govPractical incandescent lamp
A durable high-resistance lamp became the centre of a complete lighting system.
Source: www.nps.govPearl Street power station
The station began supplying direct-current electricity to customers in lower Manhattan.
Source: www.nps.govWest Orange laboratory
A much larger research complex supported work in sound, film, batteries and materials.
Source: www.nps.govKinetograph and Kinetoscope
Edison’s laboratory developed systems for recording and viewing moving pictures.
Source: www.nps.govBlack Maria studio
The rotating tar-paper studio became an early motion-picture production facility.
Source: www.nps.govWorks with Henry Ford
Edison and Ford’s friendship connected invention, industry and highly publicised expeditions.
Connected: Henry Ford
Source: www.thehenryford.orgNaval Consulting Board
Edison led a civilian board advising the US Navy on science and invention.
Source: www.nps.govCongressional Gold Medal
Congress recognised Edison’s contributions to modern industry and daily life.
Source: www.nps.govDies at Glenmont
Edison died aged 84; electric lights were dimmed in tribute across the United States.
Source: www.nps.govExplore related timelines
This educational timeline is not endorsed by or affiliated with Thomas Edison or their representatives. Event text is original editorial copy based on the linked sources.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons contributor · Licence shown on source file
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About the Thomas Edison timeline
Who is Thomas Edison?
Thomas Edison organised invention at laboratory scale and helped build systems that reshaped sound, power and visual media.
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This public timeline currently contains 18 sourced moments spanning 1847–1931.
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