Thomas Edison

Thomas Edison, circa 1922

Thomas Alva Edison (February 11, 1847 – October 18, 1931) was an American inventor and businessman, who has been described as America’s greatest inventor. He developed many devices that greatly influenced life around the world, including the phonograph, the motion picture camera, and the long-lasting, practical electric light bulb. Dubbed “The Wizard of Menlo Park”, he was one of the first inventors to apply the principles of mass production and large-scale teamwork to the process of invention, and is often credited with the creation of the first industrial research laboratory. Wikipedia

Learn more about Thomas Edison through historical newspapers from our archives. Explore newspaper articles, headlines, images, and other primary sources below.

Articles and Clippings about Thomas Edison

Thomas Edison's mother, Nancy Elliot Edison Sun, May 12, 1935 – Page 13 · Arizona Daily Star (Tucson, Arizona) · Newspapers.comMenlo Park illuminated with Thomas Edison's electric light Thu, Dec 25, 1879 – 1 · The Boston Globe (Boston, Massachusetts) · Newspapers.comAccount of Thomas Edison's courtship of his first wife, Mary Stilwell Sun, Aug 25, 1889 – Page 14 · The Topeka Daily Capital (Topeka, Kansas) · Newspapers.comThomas Edison marries second wife, Mina Miller Thu, Feb 25, 1886 – 5 · The Nebraska State Journal (Lincoln, Nebraska) · Newspapers.comThomas Edison's visit to the 1889 Paris Exposition Wed, Oct 9, 1889 – Page 1 · The Topeka State Journal (Topeka, Kansas) · Newspapers.comBiographical sketch of Thomas A. Edison, 1891 Tue, Apr 28, 1891 – Page 7 · Harrisburg Daily Independent (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania) · Newspapers.comAn interview with Thomas Edison in his laboratory, 1891 Sun, Nov 8, 1891 – Page 11 · The Salt Lake Herald (Salt Lake City, Utah) · Newspapers.comOpinion: Thomas Edison's kinetophone is seen as a "toy" with "no useful purpose" Fri, Jun 7, 1895 – Page 3 · Delphos Daily Herald (Delphos, Ohio) · Newspapers.comSamuel Edison, father of Thomas Alva Edison, dies 1896 Thu, Feb 27, 1896 – 3 · Chillicothe Gazette (Chillicothe, Ohio) · Newspapers.com"Wizard Thomas Edison Finds Way to Carry the Human Voice Across the Ocean" Mon, Jan 22, 1906 – Page 3 · The Spokane Press (Spokane, Washington) · Newspapers.comThomas Edison reported as in critical condition Fri, Feb 28, 1908 – Page 1 · Pittston Gazette (Pittston, Pennsylvania) · Newspapers.comThomas A. Edison in Bavaria when little boy is caught under wheels of touring car and dies Tue, Sep 19, 1911 – Page 5 · The Akron Beacon Journal (Akron, Ohio) · Newspapers.comPhoto of Thomas Edison, 1913 Tue, Jan 7, 1913 – Page 3 · The Hawaiian Gazette (Honolulu, Hawaii) · Newspapers.com"American Genius Gives Brilliant Light to the World" Sun, Jan 23, 1921 – Page 19 · Star Tribune (Minneapolis, Minnesota) · Newspapers.comThomas Edison (2nd from left) sits with Henry Ford, President Harding, and Harvey C. Firestone Thu, Aug 11, 1921 – Page 1 · The Highlander and Shelby News (Shelby, North Carolina) · Newspapers.comThomas Edison facts & timeline of his life Sun, Feb 12, 1928 – Page 17 · Great Falls Tribune (Great Falls, Montana) · Newspapers.comThomas Edison to receive medal for his contributions Sat, Apr 14, 1928 – Page 6 · The Decatur Daily Review (Decatur, Illinois) · Newspapers.comPhonograph is Thomas Edison's favorite invention Mon, Oct 19, 1931 – Page 2 · News-Press (Fort Myers, Florida) · Newspapers.comInventor Thomas Edison dies Fri, Oct 23, 1931 – Page 4 · Sedalia Weekly Democrat (Sedalia, Missouri) · Newspapers.com