Thomas Alva Edison
Inventor and businessman who has been described as America's greatest inventor
Real World Example
Thomas Alva Edison was an influential inventor and businessman during the period of Industrialization from 1870 to 1900. He is best known for his invention of the practical electric light bulb, which revolutionized how people lived and worked by making electric lighting widely accessible. His actions mattered because they helped spur the growth of the electric power industry, improving productivity and quality of life. Edison's legacy continues to affect modern life as his inventions laid the groundwork for the technology we use daily, like the lights in our homes and the devices we charge. For example, every time you flip a light switch, you're benefiting from Edison's vision of a world illuminated by electricity.
