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Resources on Thomas Edison's Life
by Ron Kurtus (updated 19 January 2022)
This page consists of books and Web sites that are resources on Thomas Edison. (If you have some suggested additions to this list, please let me know about them.)
Websites
The following Websites have good material on Thomas Edison.
Thomas Edison Web Site - Biography and other information
Inventing Entertainment - Library of Congress information on Edison
Edisonian Museum - Pictures of early Edison lightbulbs
Thomas Edison Birthplace Museum - Gives short history and lists inventions
Edison National Historic Site - Provides information about the National Park Service's Edison National Historic Site in West Orange, New Jersey, home of Edison's research and development laboratory
Thomas A. Edison Papers - Rutgers University research site with database of Edison's papers and materials
Edison's Patents - History and listing of Edison's 1093 patents from Rutgers Unversity
The Life and Inventions of Thomas Edison - List of good resources
Tesla and Westinghouse pages
Edison's career was also affected by both Tesla and Westinghouse.
Books
The following books are good resources for further study of Thomas Edison.
(Notice: The School for Champions may earn commissions from book purchases)
Edison: His Life and Inventions by Frank Lewis Dyer and Thomas Commerford Martin; CreateSpace (2010) - The complete work including a bonus of a ully-formatted, detailed list of all 100 of Edison's United State Patents from 1868 - 1909.
The Wizard of Menlo Park: How Thomas Alva Edison Invented the Modern World by Randall E. Stross; Broadway (2008) - Biography approaches the life of Edison from thel angle of being a self-conscious celebrity, deeply aware of the media's power.
Edison: A Life of Invention by Paul Israel; John Wiley & Sons (2000) - Gives attention to Edison's early career, then shows the relationship of his life to the Industrial Revolution. The book looks into Edison's technical work and business dealings and includes copies of Edison's original drawings.
Thomas Alva Edison: Inventing the Electric Age by Gene Adiar; Oxford Univ. Children's Books (1997) - Goes through the life of Edison from a boy starting up businesses to becoming one of the world's greatest inventors. Scientific principles of Edison's inventions are also explained and some of Edison's sketches and patent drawing are included. Focuses more on his work than his personal life.
The Story of Thomas Alva Edison by Margaret Cousins; Random House Publishing, (1997) - Story of Edison's life, inventions, and personality. Written for readers from 9 to 12 years old.
Edison: Inventing the Century by Neil Baldwin; Hyperion Press (1996) - Explains Edison's personal life and work habits. More of a biography of his life and personality than a study of his inventions.
Thomas Alva Edison: Young Inventor by Louis Sabin and George Ulrich; Troll Communications (1990) - This biography focuses on Edison's early years and how he got started as an inventor.
Thomas A. Edison: A Streak of Luck by Robert Conot; (1986) -
Book contends that much of Edison's success came from luck and clever public relations.CD set called "The Edison Trials" by Marston Records - Recordings Edison made of singers in 1912
My book
Summary
If you have any other good resources on Edison, let us know.
Be inventive
Students and researchers
The Web address of this page is:
www.school-for-champions.com/biographies/
thomas_edison_resources.htm
Please include it as a link on your website or as a reference in your report, document, or thesis.
Where are you now?
Resources on Thomas Edison's Life
Years to Age 40
Years after Age 40
Lessons Learned