Menlo Park, NJ - 1879

My name is Thomas Edison, and I am an innovator.  My first great invention was the tin foil phonograph, a more advanced form of a telegraph transmitter.  This machine was a type of recording device.  My first recording was “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” which, if I do say so myself, was quite a success.  However, my greatest achievement was the creation of light bulbs and electricity.  This was also my greatest challenge.  Contrary to popular belief, I did not in fact create the light bulb.  I just simply improved a previous model from 50 years earlier.  In 1879, using lower current electricity, a small carbonized filament, and an improved vacuum inside the globe, I was able to produce a reliable, long-lasting source of light. Numerous people have attempted to perfect the idea of electricity, but none before me had ever succeeded.  After a year and a half of hard work and dedication, I “saw the light” (pun intended) when an incandescent lamp burned for 13 and a half hours.  My achievements have brought me great success and wealth, and for that I am grateful.