Thomas Edison Timeline

By alexcriztel

  • Thomas Edison was born in Milan, Ohio.

    Thomas Edison was born in Milan, Ohio.
    (AP Images)

  • Thomas Edison set up a chemistry laboratory in the cellar and conducted his own experiments.

  • Thomas Edison took a job on the Grand Trunk railroad branch line.

    The railroad ran between Port Huron and Detroit, Michigan.

  • Thomas Edison became an expert night operator for the Western Union Telegraph Company.

    The Western Union Telegraph Company is in Boston, Massachusetts.

  • Thomas Edison was desperately poor and looking for work in New York City.

  • Thomas Edison began constructing a large new plant at Menlo Park, New Jersey.

  • Thomas Edison invented the phonograph.

    Thomas Edison invented the phonograph.
    The phonograph is a primitive instrument in which sound vibrations were transferred by a steel stylus to a cyliner wrapped in tin foil. (AP Images)

  • Thomas Edison was appointed Chevalier of the French Legion of Honor in recognition of his accomplishments.

  • Thomas Edison first demonstrated in public an incandescent light bulb made with charred cotton thread saled in a vacuum that could burn for several hours.

    Thomas Edison first demonstrated in public an incandescent light bulb made with charred cotton thread saled in a vacuum that could burn for several hours.
    (AP Images)

  • Thomas Edison founded the Edison Electric Illuminating Company of New York.

    Thomas Edison founded the Edison Electric Illuminating Company of New York.
    The Edison Electric Illuminating Company evolved into the present-day Consolidated Edison Company. (AP Images)

  • Edison Electirc Illuminating Company began operating the world's first electric power station.

    Edison Electirc Illuminating Company began operating the world's first electric power station.
    It supplied power to 400 incandescent lamps owned by 85 customers. (AP Images)

  • Thomas Edison constructed a large laboratory in West Orange, New Jersey.

    Thomas Edison constructed a large laboratory in West Orange, New Jersey.
    (AP Images)

  • Thomas Edison was promoted to Commander of the French Legion of Honor.

  • Thomas Edison was awarded the Albert Medal by the Society of Arts of Great Britain.

  • Thomas Edison developed a prototype of the "taking picture".

    Thomas Edison developed a prototype of the "taking picture".
    (AP Images)

  • Thomas Edison served as president of the U.S. Navy Consulting Board in World War I until 1918.

    Thomas Edison served as president of the U.S. Navy Consulting Board in World War I until 1918.
    He contributed many valuable discoveries to the war effort.

  • Thomas Edison received the Congressional Gold Medal for "development and application of inventions that have revolutionized civilzation in the last century".

  • Thoms Edison died in West Orange, New Jersey.

    Thoms Edison died in West Orange, New Jersey.
    (AP Images)