Thomas Alva Edison dies at age 84

Thomas Alva Edison, the prolific inventor known for developing the practical incandescent light bulb and contributing significantly to electrical technology, passed away in West Orange, New Jersey, on October 18, 1931, at the age of 84.

Born in Milan, Ohio, in 1847, Edison had limited formal education and dealt with serious hearing loss from an early age. He began his career as a telegraph operator at age 16 before dedicating himself to refining telegraph systems. In 1876, he established a laboratory and machine shop in Menlo Park, New Jersey. During his time there, he accidentally discovered the phonograph in 1877 while attempting to find a way to record telephone communications. His work earned him the nickname ‘The Wizard of Menlo Park’ and brought him international fame.