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.
Rutgers University
Thomas Edison Papers: Edison's Patents
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...
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.
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.
Other
History of Recording Technology: Edison's Invention of the Phonograph
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...
Curated OER
National Park Service: Thomas Edison National Historical Park: Thomas Edison
This site includes information about Thomas Edison's inventions and his home and family life. Find a lengthy biography and several sounds from Edison's original phonograph.
The Henry Ford
The Henry Ford: Thomas A. Edison and the Menlo Park Laboratory
This site, presented by the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village, offers a peek into the life and inventions of Thomas Edison. Content is focused mainly on Edison's Menlo Park Laboratory and his invention of the first practical...
Other
Creative Thinking With 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.
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.
Other
Brockton Historical Society: Thomas Alva Edison
Site devoted completely to the achievements of Thomas Edison. Includes a detailed biography, inventions, photo gallery, and quotes.
Other
Edision Birthplace Museum: Birthplace of Edison
Biographical look at Thomas Edison from the museum of his birthplace. Provides information on his life and his inventions. Also gives a tour of Edison's birthplace.
PBS
Pbs American Experience: Edison's Miracle of Light
This site explores the various challenges Edison faced upon attempting to produce electric power. It contains a historical essay, a complete list of Edison's patents, information on the AC and DC currents, recordings produced by the...
Rutgers University
Blueprint for Change: The Life and Times of Lewis H. Latimer
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...
A&E Television
History.com: Inventions & Science
Inventions from the telephone to the Model T and the computer have defined human history, and inventors like Leonardo da Vinci, Nikola Tesla, Thomas Edison, Eli Whitney and Alexander Graham Bell have transformed our society.
Digital History
Digital History: The Wizard of Menlo Park
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.
Other
Earliest Voices: Gallery From the Vincent Voice Library
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...
Great Idea Finder
Great Idea Finder: Lewis Howard Latimer
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...
Library of Congress
Loc: Everyday Mysteries: Who Invented Christmas Lights?
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.
PBS
Pbs: American Experience: George Eastman: The Wizard of Photography
American Experience offers a comprehensive look at George Eastman and his development of photography. Included are a timeline, biographies of important people in Eastman's personal and professional life, discussions in the history of...
PBS
Pbs: American Experience: The Telephone
The home page to the PBS feature film on the invention of the telephone. The People and Events section has biographies and commentary on the invention of the telephone and its subsequent success. Be sure to click on Gallery for pictures...