Thomas Alva Edison was born on February 11, 1847, in Milan, Ohio, USA. He had limited formal education and was largely self-taught due to his early struggles with formal schooling. His mother, Nancy Matthews Elliott, was an accomplished school teacher, and she encouraged his curiosity.

Edison began his career as a telegraph operator, a job that allowed him to explore his interest in electrical and mechanical devices. In 1876, he established a laboratory in Menlo Park, New Jersey, which became the birthplace of many of his significant inventions.

Throughout his career, Edison invented and improved upon a wide range of technologies. Some of his most notable inventions include the phonograph (1877), the incandescent light bulb (1879), and the motion picture camera (1891). He also made substantial contributions to the development of the electric power system, inventing the practical electric utility system, including generators, transformers, and distribution wires.

In his later years, Edison became a successful businessman and established General Electric (GE) in 1892, which later became one of the largest and most influential industrial corporations in the world.

Thomas Edison died on October 18, 1931, in West Orange, New Jersey, leaving behind a legacy of innovation that continues to impact the world today. His inventions not only revolutionized industries but also transformed the way people lived, communicated, and entertained themselves. Edison’s work laid the foundation for modern technology, making him one of the most influential inventors in history.