Patent Drawing of Engine - Collection of United States patents granted to Thomas A. Edison, 1869-1884 (1869) (14569934740) Public domain image

Thomas Edison, 1847-1931, is credited with the development of many important inventions and technologies. Some of his most notable patents and inventions include: - The light bulb: Edison's most famous invention, the light bulb, revolutionized the way we light our homes and businesses. He worked for many years to perfect the design of the light bulb, and his efforts ultimately led to the development of a practical, long-lasting, and commercially viable electric light. - The phonograph: Edison's phonograph was the first device to successfully record and reproduce sound. The phonograph used a cylinder coated with a substance that could be etched by sound waves to record audio, and a needle to play it back. This invention paved the way for the development of the modern record player and other audio recording and playback technologies. - The motion picture camera: Edison's motion picture camera, also known as the kinetograph, was the first device to successfully capture moving images on film. The kinetograph used a series of rapidly rotating lenses to record a series of still images, which could then be played back in rapid succession to create the illusion of motion. This invention laid the foundation for the modern film industry. - The electric pen: Edison's electric pen was an early precursor to the modern-day tattoo machine. The device used a needle that was rapidly vibrated by an electric motor to create a series of punctures in a sheet of paper. This allowed users to easily create multiple copies of a document using a technique known as stenciling. - The electric vote recorder: Edison's electric vote recorder was an early voting machine that was designed to automate the process of tallying and recording votes in elections. The device used a series of levers that could be activated by voters to indicate their choices, and a mechanism to tally the results and display them on a dial. This invention was intended to improve the accuracy and efficiency of the electoral process.