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

Links to copies of papers written by Thomas Edison. Also includes biographical information and copies of his patents and companies.

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.

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.

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

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.

Click through the pages on this site to read about Edison's development of the phonograph as well as a discussion of Edison's rivals who were seeking to develop a similar product. Read about the changes in the ways to record sound as the...

As the inventor of the lightbulb, phonograph, and the printing telegraph, Thomas Alva Edison (1847-1931), improved the daily lives of everyday people.

This resource provides information about the famous American inventor, Thomas Edison. Find out about his childhood, some of his famous inventions, and even some of his mistakes.

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...

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.

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...

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

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

Discusses the history of the Edison phonograph and provides photos.

The 1880's in America were chock full of new architecture, technologies, businesses, modern conveniences such as gas and electric, operas, fashions, and much more as featured in this resource.

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.

The first hydroelectric power plant, known as the Vulcan Street Plant, was powered by the Fox River in Appleton, Wisconsin.

A learning module that begins with "The History of the Cylinder Phonograph" by The Library of Congress, accompanied by guided reading questions, assessment questions, and discussion questions. The text can be printed as a PDF or assigned...

Do you love looking at Christmas lights? At this Library of Congress site, the question is answered on who invented the first strand of lights that now light up the Christmas season.