Thomas Edison

1869 Went into partnership with Franklin L. Pope as an electrical engineer. Radically improved stock tickers and came up with several associated inventions, among which were the Universal Stock Ticker and the Unison Device. 1870 Received the first cash payment for one of his inventions, a $40,000 check. Sent money back to his financially desperate parents. Opened a manufacturing shop in Newark, where he made stock tickers and worked on developing a quadruplex telegraph. 1871 Assisted Sholes, the inventor …

…ships. 10 Blocking torpedoes with nets. 11 Increased power for torpedoes. 12 Coastal patrol by submarine buoys. 13 Destroying periscopes with machine guns. 14 Cartridges for taking soundings. 15 Sailing lights for convoys. 16 Smudging skyline. 1 17 Underwater searchlights. 18 High speed signaling with searchlights. 19 Water penetrating projectiles. 20 Airplane detection. 21 Observing periscopes in silhouette. Edison was awarded 1,368 separate and distinct patents during his lifetime. He passed away at age 84 on October 18th, 1931 - on the anniversary date of his invention of the incandescent bulb.