Link to Home: Lighting A Revolution

A 19th Century Invention Factory

The story of one of Edison's brighter inventions - the electric light bulb - is explored in this section.

Link: 19th Century Preconditions Link: 19th Century Invention Link: 19th Century Promotion Link: 19th Century Competition Link: 19th Century Consequences


Thomas Edison received over 1000 U.S. patents, the most issued to any individual. Some people also credit him with an invention that received no patent: the modern corporate research laboratory. While this conclusion is arguable, his Menlo Park laboratory was intentionally designed to be an invention factory. It housed a large reference library, and often served to showcase the Wizard's work. Some who worked in or visited the lab later became competitors.

 

19th Century:
Step 1:
Preconditions
Step 2:
Invention
Step 3:
Promotion
Step 4:
Competition
Step 5:
Consequences
 
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