Famous Ohioans: Thomas Edison

Pick up a copy of this Weekender (Feb. 19-20) newspaper which includes a special section containing profiles of Famous Ohioans. Thomas Edison Inventor Vitals • Birthdate: Feb. 11, 1847 • Birthplace: Milan, Ohio • Death date: Oct. 18, 1931 • Age at death: 84 • Burial place: Thomas Edison National Historical Park in West Orange, New Jersey • Spouse: first wife, Mary; second wife, Mina • Children: Marion Estelle Edison, Thomas Alva Edison Jr. and William Leslie Edison Quotes "Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work." "Everything comes to him who hustles while he waits." "I am proud of the fact that I never invented weapons to kill." Inventions • In 1868, the electrical vote recorder • In 1869, the universal stock ticker and the unison stop • In 1872, the monograph; the automatic telegraph system; the duplex, quadruplex, sextuplet and multiplex telegraph systems; the paraffin paper; and the carbon rheostat • In 1875, the Etheric Force, an electric phenomenon that is the foundation of wireless telegraphy • In 1876, the electric pen for the first mimeographs • In 1877, the carbon telephone transmitter and the phonograph • In 1879, discovered incandescent light; discovered a system of distribution, regulation and measurement of electric current switches, fuses, sockets and meters; radically improved dynamos and generators • In 1880, the magnetic ore separator; and discovered the Edison Effect, the fundamental principle of electronics • In 1885, discovered a system of wireless induction telegraph between moving trains and stations • In 1891, the motion picture camera • In 1896, the fluoroscope and the fluorescent electric lamp • In 1900, the nickel-iron-alkaline storage battery • In 1914, the electric safety miner's lamp; and discovered the process for manufacturing synthetic carbolic acid • In 1915, conducted special experiments on more than 40 major war problems for the navy Department; Edison served as chairman of the Naval Consulting Board and did much other work on National Defense