US National Archives
Our Documents: Thomas Edison's Patent Application for the Light Bulb
This resource includes a copy of the original diagram and application that Thomas Edison submitted for the electric light bulb. Along with the interactive pictures you can access a typed transcript, larger images, a downloadable .PDF...
Read Works
Read Works: Electricity & Energy the Light Bulb
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about the invention and use of the light bulb. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Smithsonian Institution
Lemelson Center: Thomas Edison's Inventive Life
This site is a complete resource for learning about Edison's life, his inventions, and electricity. If you like experimenting, there are instructions included for how to make your own light bulb. Good photos.
Curated OER
National Park Service: Thomas Edison National Historical Park: Edison Biography
Here is a very detailed biography of Thomas Edison ranging from his boyhood and his work as a telegrapher, moving on to his invention of the phonograph and incandescent light bulb, and finally, a description of his laboratories where he...
Science4Fun
Science4 Fun: Light Bulb
Learn about the early developments of the invention of the incandescent light bulb and Thomas Edison's development of the first practical light bulb.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Thomas Edison: Inventor and Entrepreneur
Through a video and primary source activities, students will learn about Edison's remarkable business of innovation and some of his 1,093 patented devices.
Library of Congress
Loc: Learning Page: Thomas Edison
This resource provides lesson plans and information about Thomas Edison and his inventions.
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of American History: Lighting a Revolution
This website is part of a bigger exhibit exploring the history of invention. This looks at Edison's invention of the light bulb and many other electrical inventions from the following century.
Energy for Sustainable Development
Esd Bulgaria: Kids & Energy: Energy Pioneers: Thomas Alva Edison
A profile of Thomas Alva Edison, who lived from 1847 to 1931, an American who made many important inventions, such as the electric light bulb. A timeline of his inventions is provided here.
Read Works
Read Works: Famous Inventors Thomas Edison
[Free Registration/Login Required] This short biographical piece shares information about Thomas Edison, the inventor of the phonograph, light bulb, motion picture camera, and more. This passage is a stand-alone curricular piece that...
Next.cc
Next: Artificial Light
Multiple activities help students gain a better understanding of light bulbs and the many uses of artificial light. Click on the links provided for further exploration.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Harcourt: Biographies: Thomas Edison
A good description of the inventions and life of this bright and ambitious man. As inventor of the light bulb, phonograph, movie camera and many others, Edison lived a very inspiring life. In Spanish.
Smithsonian Institution
Lemelson Center: Thomas Edison's Places of Invention
An article by Paul Israel from the Prototype newsletter discusses the various laboratories used by Thomas Edison as he was developing his inventions.
Curated OER
National Park Service: The Invention Factory:thomas Edison's Laboratories
This Teaching With Historic Places lesson plan about Thomas Edison's laboratories is filled with maps, readings, critical thinking questions, and photographs related to Edison's labs and inventions. This site explains and details the...
Other
Earliest Voices: Thomas Edison
This resource offers historic voice recordings of Thomas Edison. There is a recording of animal sounds, and a speech given at an electrical exhibition in 1908. A biography and downloadable images of him are also included.
Ducksters
Ducksters: Thomas Edison: Inventor of the Light Bulb and Much More
Kids learn about Thomas Edison's biography. Invented many things including the light bulb and phonograph.
The Franklin Institute
The Franklin Institute: Edison's Lightbulb: History of Science and Technology
The Franklin Institute features a biography of Thomas Edison and a complete description of the light bulb as well as an experiment.
Curated OER
National Park Service: Dison National Historical Site: The Invention Factory
This terrific interactive site from the National Park Service describes the different buildings on Thomas Edison's West Orange, New Jersey's laboratory facility. After exploring the buildings, follow Edison's invention and application of...
Famous Scientists
Famous Scientists: Thomas Alva Edison
Meet the inventor of the phonograph, the motion picture camera, and the long-lasting, practical electric light bulb, Thomas Edison.
US National Archives
Nara: Teaching With Documents: Telephone and Light Patent Drawings
A lesson plan about Alexander Graham Bell's patent for the telephone and Thomas Edison's patent for the electric lamp. Contains good background information and historically pertinent documents. It also discusses the role corporations...
Rutgers University
Rutgers: The Thomas Edison Papers
Links to copies of papers written by Thomas Edison. Also includes biographical information and copies of his patents and companies.
A&E Television
History.com: 6 Key Inventions by Thomas Edison
Edison's genius was improving on others' technologies and making them more practical for the general public. Thomas Edison applied for his first patent in 1868, when he was just 21 years old. The famous inventor's first brainchild was...
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of American History: Edison After Forty
This online exhibition traces Edison's life, both personal and professional after he reached forty. Historic, primary materials are included.
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: Thomas Alva Edison
A variety of images, photographs, and information on the life of Thomas Alva Edison (1847-1931) can be found in the site by the Library of Congress. Information can be found here regarding his invention and influence on American society....