This site offers an exhaustive list of 1,093 patents granted to Thomas Edison. There is also a graphic representing his annual output available. Hyperlinks to much more information. Included are the actual drawings of inventions...

From the collection of Thomas Edison's papers at Rutgers University is this description of Edison's involvement in the development of motion pictures in conjunction with his assistant, W.K.L. Dickson.

Describes Thomas Edison's inventions in chronological order from 1868 to 1915, with mention of his contribution to World War I.

This site from The Great Idea Finder presents a lengthy biography of Thomas Edison, followed by a wealth of suggested resources including books, movies, and the Internet.

Although it never quite measured up to expectations, the Edison battery paved the way for the modern alkaline battery.

Brief biographical sketch of Thomas Alva Edison, inventor of the light bulb and phonograph.

An extensive look at the inventor, Lewis Latimer, from the Thomas Edison Papers at Rutgers University. Read essays about his life and inventions, the culture in Boston which encouraged his work, and his life outside his inventions. A...

Read a brief biography of Thomas Edison.

As a master inventor Thomas Edison used many techniques that helped him with his creative ideas. Learn how you can apply some of his techniques to yourself to aid you in your own creative inventiveness.

This site provides information on American inventors Benjamin Franklin, Robert Fulton, Eli Whitney, Thomas Jefferson, Isaac Singer, Wilbur Wright, Thomas Alva Edison, Elias Howe, and Alexander Graham Bell. It offers pictures from and...

A fascinating encyclopedia article about Granville Woods, a black inventor,often referred to as the "black Edison."

The "Wizard of Menlo Park" brought the world electric light, recorded music, and the movies, among other things, and turned innovation into a science by inventing the research laboratory.

This site addresses the advent of the voice recording. The introduction talks about the country at the time of this invention, the feelings of people on the topic, and early recording itself. Included are voice recordings of such...

Learn about the early developments of the invention of the incandescent light bulb and Thomas Edison's development of the first practical light bulb.

Like fun house mirrors, motion pictures over the past one hundred years have reflected, challenged, influenced, and altered our visions of ourselves and the world in which we live. This virtual Exhibition was produced by the Photographic...

An extensive biography of the life of African-American inventor, Lewis Latimer. Find out about his primary claim to fame in the development of an incandescent light bulb, but be sure to read about his many patents, and his importance to...

A description of Granville Woods' successful invention, the multiplex telegraph, which greatly improved railroad safety. From the Lemelson-MIT Project.

Students investigate the importance of failure to the process of innovation by investigating several items that were invented by accident. They share one "failure to success" story by creating a 3-panel comic strip poster, and then write...

Explains how a phonograph works and gives instructions on how to build one.

Smithsonian site features the life and many accomplishments of Lewis Latimer, the famous African-American inventor.

Brief historical description of the technology introduced in the U.S. after the Civil War and the changes new technology and inventions brought about.

[Free Registration/Login Required] This learning module engages students in goal setting. A Power Point feauturing "famous failures" and goal setting activities are included.