In his late twenties, Edison built an “invention factory“ where he and his business partners could dedicate all their time to inventing. After improving upon the telephone, Edison created the phonograph, his favorite and most lucrative invention. Although Edison did not actually invent the light bulb, he did create an electric lighting system which led to its widespread use.
A tireless achiever, Edison established the first central electric power station in 1882, enabling New York to be the first city in the world to have electric lights. This was the beginning of the modern world in which electricity became a way of life.
Thomas Edison died at the age of eighty-four in 1931. Three days later, much of America dimmed its lights in honor of the inventor---man who had more impact on the development of present-day civilization than anyone else in history.