was born in Milan, Ohio, on this date in 1847.
Edison’s stature has diminished since his death; technology has evolved so much since then. But he was still a hero when he died in 1931. These are the sub-headlines from his obituary in The New York Times:
World Made Over By Edison’s Magic
He Did More Than Any One Man to Put Luxuries Into the Lives of the Masses
Created Millions Of Jobs
Electric Light, the Phonograph, Motion Pictures and Radio Improvements Among Gifts
Lamp Ended “Dark Ages”
He Held the Miracle of Menlo Park, Produced on a Gusty Night 50 Years Ago, His Greatest Work
The Undiscovered World of Thomas Edison is an informative and interesting essay from the December 1995 Atlantic Monthly.