(1847–1931), American inventor; full name Thomas Alva Edison. He took out the first of more than a thousand patents at the age of 21. His inventions include automatic telegraph systems, the carbon microphone for telephones, the phonograph, and the carbon filament lamp.
Definition of Edison, Thomas in US English:
Edison, Thomas
proper nounˈedəsən
(1847–1931), US inventor; full name Thomas Alva Edison. He took out the first of more than 1,000 patents at the age of 21. His inventions include automatic telegraph systems, the carbon microphone for telephones, the phonograph, and the carbon filament lamp.