Thomas Alva Edison 1847-1931, US scientist and inventor, with over 1000 patents. In Menio Park, New Jersey 1876-87 he produced his most important iventions, including the electric light bulb 1879. He constructed a system of electric power distribution for consumers, the telephone transmitter, and the phonograph. Edison's first invention was an automatic repeater for telegraphic messages. Later came the carbon transmitter (used as a microphone in the production of the Bell telephone), the electric filament lamp, a new type of storage battery, and the kinetoscopic camera, an early cine camera. He also anticipated the Fleming thermionic valve. He supported direct current (DC) transmission, but alternating current (AC) was eventually found to be more efficient and economical. Photo shows Thomas Edison broadcasting "Mary had a little lamb" - the inventor's radio debut on the 50th anniversary of his invention of the phonograph - 1927