Thomas Edison
The wondrous inventions that emerged from Edison’s laboratory in Menlo Park, New Jersey, ranged from the phonograph shown here to electric light bulbs, moving pictures, and Portland cement. Edison (1847–1931) became a national hero — and the holder of over one thousand patents. He was also a shrewd entrepreneur who artfully cultivated both publicity and investor support. In demonstrating electric lights, he chose first to illuminate the headquarters of the New York Times and the nearby offices of powerful financier J. P. Morgan. In this advertisement he makes a democratic appeal to all Americans — but only the affluent could afford a phonograph, which cost about $20. Dennis Nyhagen, The Digital Deli Online, www.digitaldeliftp.com.