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Below is a list of Edison patents. Thomas Edison was an inventor who, it is said, accumulated 1500-plus patents worldwide for his inventions. Nearly 1100 of Edison's patents were in the United States, but other patents were approved in countries around the globe.

Edison is credited for contributing to various innovation, including the phonograph, the kinetoscope, the dictaphone, radio, the electric lamp (in particular the incandescent light bulb), the autographic printer, and the tattoo gun. Edison was a prolific inventor of his time and it is reported that he holds a record 1,093 American patents in his name. Most of these inventions were not completely original but improvements of earlier patents. Many of his patents were actually made by his employees - Edison patented their work and did not share the credit of the innovation.

The first hundred patents mainly deal with the telegraph system. John Kruesi was the shop manager beginning in 1872. Kruesi built models, instruments, and apparatus for Edison's work. John Ott worked with Edison throughout his career. Ott was Edison's main model and instrument maker. Charles Batchelor was a superintendent for Edison toward the end of this series of patents. Jonas Aylsworth worked, from the opening in 1887 of Edison's labs, testing materials for phonograph recordings.

• patent number - name of patent (external links to patent images in TIFF format)

1. U.S. Patent 0090,646  -- Electrographic Vote-Recorder : Edison's first patent. Permitted a "yes" or "no" vote via one of two switches. Washington congressmen were not interested in the device and the invention was a failure. (1869)
2. U.S. Patent 0091,527  -- Printing-Telegraphs
3. U.S. Patent 0096,567  -- Printing-Telegraph Apparatus
4. U.S. Patent 0096,681  -- Automatic Electrical Switch for Telegraph Apparatus
5. U.S. Patent 0102,320  -- Printing-Telegraph Apparatus
6. U.S. Patent 0103,035  -- Electro-Motor Escapements
7. U.S. Patent 0103,924  -- Printing-Telegraph Instruments
8. U.S. Patent 0111,112  -- Governors for Electro-Motors
9. U.S. Patent 0113,033  -- Printing-Telegraph Apparatus
10. U.S. Patent 0113,034  -- Printing-Telegraph Apparatus
11. U.S. Patent 0114,656  -- Telegraphic Transmitting Instruments
12. U.S. Patent 0114,657  -- Relay-Magnets for Telegraph Instruments
13. U.S. Patent 0114,658  -- Electro-Magnets for Telegraph Instruments
14. U.S. Patent 0121,601  -- Machinery for Perforating Paper for Telegraph Purposes
15. U.S. Patent 0123,005  -- Telegraph Apparatus
16. U.S. Patent 0123,006  -- Printing-Telegraphs
17. U.S. Patent 0123,984  -- Telegraph Apparatus
18. U.S. Patent 0124,800  -- Telegraphic Recording Instruments
19. U.S. Patent 0126,528  -- Type-Wheels for Printing-Telegraphs
20. U.S. Patent 0126,529  -- Type-Wheels for Printing-Telegraphs
21. U.S. Patent 0126,530  -- Printing-Telegraphs
22. U.S. Patent 0126,531  -- Printing-Telegraphs
23. U.S. Patent 0126,532  -- Printing-Telegraphs
24. U.S. Patent 0126,533  -- Printing-Telegraphs
25. U.S. Patent 0126,534  -- Printing-Telegraphs
26. U.S. Patent 0126,535  -- Printing-Telegraphs
27. U.S. Patent 0128,131  -- Printing-Telegraphs
28. U.S. Patent 0128,604  -- Printing-Telegraphs
29. U.S. Patent 0128,605  -- Printing-Telegraphs
30. U.S. Patent 0128,606  -- Printing-Telegraphs
31. U.S. Patent 0128,607  -- Printing-Telegraphs
32. U.S. Patent 0128,608  -- Printing-Telegraph Instruments
33. U.S. Patent 0130,795  -- Electro-Magnets
34. U.S. Patent 0131,334  -- Rheotomes or Circuit-Directors
35. U.S. Patent 0131,335  -- Printing-Telegraphs
36. U.S. Patent 0131,336  -- Printing-Telegraphs
37. U.S. Patent 0131,337  -- Printing-Telegraphs
38. U.S. Patent 0131,338  -- Printing-Telegraphs
39. U.S. Patent 0131,339  -- Printing-Telegraphs
40. U.S. Patent 0131,340  -- Printing-Telegraphs
41. U.S. Patent 0131,341  -- Printing-Telegraph Instruments
42. U.S. Patent 0131,342  -- Printing-Telegraph Instruments
43. U.S. Patent 0131,343  -- Transmitters and Circuits for Printing-Telegraphs
44. U.S. Patent 0131,344  -- Unison-Stops for Printing-Telegraphs
45. U.S. Patent 0132,455  -- Paper for Chemical Telegraphs etc.
46. U.S. Patent 0132,456  -- Apparatus for Perforating Paper for Telegraphic Use
47. U.S. Patent 0133,019  -- Electrical Printing-Machines
48. U.S. Patent 0133,841  -- Type-Writing Machines
49. U.S. Patent 0134,866  -- Printing-Telegraph Instruments
50. U.S. Patent 0134,867  -- Automatic Telegraph Instruments
51. U.S. Patent 0134,868  -- Electro-Magnetic Adjusters
52. U.S. Patent 0135,531  -- Circuits for Chemical Telegraphs
53. U.S. Patent 0138,869  -- Printing-Telegraphs
54. U.S. Patent 0138,870  -- Printing-Telegraphs
55. U.S. Patent 0139,128  -- Printing-Telegraphs
56. U.S. Patent 0139,129  -- Printing-Telegraphs
57. U.S. Patent 0140,487  -- Printing-Telegraphs
58. U.S. Patent 0140,488  -- Printing-Telegraphs
59. U.S. Patent 0140,489  -- Circuits for Printing-Telegraphs
60. U.S. Patent 0141,772  -- Circuits for Automatic or Chemical Telegraphs
61. U.S. Patent 0141,773  -- Circuits for Automatic Telegraphs
62. U.S. Patent 0141,774  -- Chemical Telegraphs
63. U.S. Patent 0141,775  -- Perforators for Automatic Telegraphs
64. U.S. Patent 0141,776  -- Circuits for Automatic Telegraphs
65. U.S. Patent 0141,777  -- Relay-Magnets
66. U.S. Patent 0142,688  -- Electrical Regulators for Transmitting-Instruments
67. U.S. Patent 0142,999  -- Galvanic Batteries
68. U.S. Patent 0146,812  -- Telegraph-Signal Boxes
69. U.S. Patent 0147,311  -- Electric Telegraphs
70. U.S. Patent 0147,312  -- Perforators for Automatic Telegraphy
71. U.S. Patent 0147,313  -- Chemical Telegraphs
72. U.S. Patent 0147,314  -- Circuits for Chemical Telegraphs
73. U.S. Patent 0147,917  -- Duplex Telegraphs
74. U.S. Patent 0150,846  -- Telegraph-Relays
75. U.S. Patent 0150,847  -- Receiving Instruments for Chemical Telegraphs
76. U.S. Patent 0150,848  -- Chemical or Automatic Telegraphs
77. U.S. Patent 0151,209  -- Automatic Telegraphy and Perforators Therefor
78. U.S. Patent 0154,788  -- District Telegraph Signal-Boxes
79. U.S. Patent 0156,843  -- Duplex Chemical Telegraphs
80. U.S. Patent 0158,787  -- Telegraph Apparatus
81. U.S. Patent 0160,402  -- Solutions for Chemical Telegraph-Paper
82. U.S. Patent 0160,403  -- Solutions for Chemical Telegraph-Paper
83. U.S. Patent 0160,404  -- Solutions for Chemical Telegraph-Paper
84. U.S. Patent 0160,405  -- Adjustable Electro-Magnets for Relays, etc.
85. U.S. Patent 0160,580  -- Solutions for Chemical Telegraph-Paper
86. U.S. Patent 0162,633  -- Duplex Telegraphs
87. U.S. Patent 0166,859  -- Chemical Telegraphy
88. U.S. Patent 0166,860  -- Chemical Telegraphy
89. U.S. Patent 0166,861  -- Chemical Telegraphy
90. U.S. Patent 0168,004  -- Printing-Telegraphs
91. U.S. Patent 0168,242  -- Transmitters and Receivers for Automatic Telegraphs
92. U.S. Patent 0168,243  -- Automatic Telegraphs
93. U.S. Patent 0168,385  -- Duplex Telegraphs
94. U.S. Patent 0168,465  -- Solutions for Chemical Telegraphs
95. U.S. Patent 0168,466  -- Solutions for Chemical Telegraphs
96. U.S. Patent 0168,467  -- Recording-Points for Chemical Telegraphs
97. U.S. Patent 0169,972  -- Electric-Signalling Instruments
98. U.S. Patent 0171,273  -- Telegraph Apparatus
99. U.S. Patent 0172,305  -- Automatic Roman-Character Telegraphs
100. U.S. Patent 0173,718  -- Automatic Telegraphy

In the second hundred patents, Edison continues his work with the telegraph. He also starts to patent electrical distribution and the light. Francis R. Upton began working for Edison at Menlo Park in 1878.

1. U.S. Patent 0178,221  -- Duplex Telegraphs (1876)
2. U.S. Patent 0178,222  -- Duplex Telegraphs
3. U.S. Patent 0178,223  -- Duplex Telegraphs
4. U.S. Patent 0180,857  -- Autographic Printing
5. U.S. Patent 0180,858  -- Duplex Telegraphs
6. U.S. Patent 0182,996  -- Acoustic Telegraph
7. U.S. Patent 0185,507  -- Electro-Harmonic Multiplex Telegraphs
8. U.S. Patent 0186,330  -- Acoustic Electric Telegraphs
9. U.S. Patent 0186,548  -- Telegraphic Alarm and Signal Apparatus
10. U.S. Patent 0195,751  -- Automatic Telegraphs
11. U.S. Patent 0195,752  -- Automatic Telegraphs
12. U.S. Patent 0196,747  -- Stencil-Pens
    

    

    Patent drawing for Edison's phonograph, 18 May 1880.
13. U.S. Patent 0198,087  -- Telephonic Telegraphs
14. U.S. Patent 0198,088  -- Telephonic Telegraphs
15. U.S. Patent 0198,089  -- Telephonic or Electro-Harmonic Telegraphs
16. U.S. Patent 0200,032  -- Synchronous Movements for Electric Telegraphs
17. U.S. Patent 0200,521  -- Phonograph or Speaking Machines : The first phonograph, a device for recording and replaying sound. Edison demonstrated the device for the first time on November 29, 1878. The device recorded on a phonograph cylinder using up-down (vertical) motion of the stylus. Edison's patent specified that the audio recording was embossed.
18. U.S. Patent 0200,993  -- Acoustic Telegraphs
19. U.S. Patent 0200,994  -- Automatic-Telegraph Perforator and Transmitter
20. U.S. Patent 0201,760  -- Speaking-Machines
21. U.S. Patent 0203,013  -- Speaking-Telegraphs
22. U.S. Patent 0203,014  -- Speaking-Telegraphs
23. U.S. Patent 0203,015  -- Speaking-Telegraphs
24. U.S. Patent 0203,016  -- Speaking-Telephones
25. U.S. Patent 0203,017  -- Telephone Call-Signal
26. U.S. Patent 0203,018  -- Telephones or Speaking-Telegraphs
27. U.S. Patent 0203,019  -- Circuits for Acoustic or Telephonic Telegraphs
28. U.S. Patent 0203,329  -- Perforating Pens
29. U.S. Patent 0205,370  -- Pneumatic Stencil-Pens
30. U.S. Patent 0207,723  -- Duplex Telegraphs
31. U.S. Patent 0207,724  -- Duplex Telegraphs
32. U.S. Patent 0208,299  -- Speaking-Telephones
33. U.S. Patent 0209,241  -- Quadruplex-Telegraph Repeaters
34. U.S. Patent 0210,767  -- Vocal Engines
35. U.S. Patent 0213,554  -- Automatic Telegraphs
36. U.S. Patent 0214,636  -- Electric Lights
37. U.S. Patent 0214,637  -- Thermal Regulators for Electric Lights
38. U.S. Patent 0217,781  -- Sextuplex Telegraphs
39. U.S. Patent 0217,782  -- Duplex Telegraphs
40. U.S. Patent 0218,166  -- Magneto-Electric Machines
41. U.S. Patent 0218,167  -- Apparatus for Electric Lights
42. U.S. Patent 0218,866  -- Electric Lighting Apparatus
43. U.S. Patent 0219,393  -- Dynamo-Electric Machine
44. U.S. Patent 0219,628  -- Electric Lights
    

    

    US223898 Electric Lamp
45. U.S. Patent 0221,957  -- Telephones
46. U.S. Patent 0222,390  -- Carbon-Telephones
47. U.S. Patent 0222,881  -- Magneto-Electric Machines : Edison main dynamo. The device's nickname was the "long-legged Mary-Ann". This device has large bipolar magnets and is highly inefficient.
48. U.S. Patent 0223,898  -- Electric Lamp : Edison's incandescent light bulb invention. The original spiral carbon-filament is shown and repeatedly referred to. First practical commercially viable electric lamp. This device replaced the flame lamp, gas lamp, kerosene-oil lamp, and wax candle.
49. U.S. Patent 0224,329  -- Electric-Lighting Apparatus
50. U.S. Patent 0224,665  -- Autographic Stencils for Printing
51. U.S. Patent 0227,226  -- Safety-Conductor for Electric Lights
52. U.S. Patent 0227,227  -- Electric Light
53. U.S. Patent 0227,228  -- Electric Light
54. U.S. Patent 0227,229  -- Electric Light
55. U.S. Patent 0227,679  -- Phonograph
56. U.S. Patent 0228,329  -- Magnetic Ore-Separator
57. U.S. Patent 0228,617  -- Brake for Electro-Magnetic Motors
58. U.S. Patent 0230,255  -- Method of Manufacturing Electric Lamps
59. U.S. Patent 0230,621  -- Addressing-Machine
60. U.S. Patent 0231,704  -- Electro-Chemical Receiving-Telephone
61. U.S. Patent 0235,142  -- Acoustic Telegraph
62. U.S. Patent 0237,732  -- Electric Light
63. U.S. Patent 0238,098  -- Magneto Signal Apparatus
64. U.S. Patent 0238,868  -- Manufacture of Carbons for Incandescent Electric Lamps
65. U.S. Patent 0239,147  -- System of Electric Lighting
66. U.S. Patent 0239,148  -- Treating Carbons for Electric Lamps
67. U.S. Patent 0239,149  -- Incandescing Electric Lamp
68. U.S. Patent 0239,150  -- Electric Lamp
69. U.S. Patent 0239,151  -- Method of Forming Enlarged Ends on Carbon Filaments
70. U.S. Patent 0239,152  -- System of Electric Lighting
71. U.S. Patent 0239,153  -- Electric Lamp
72. U.S. Patent 0239,154  -- Relay for Telegraphs
73. U.S. Patent 0239,372  -- Testing Electric-Light Carbons
74. U.S. Patent 0239,373  -- Electric Lamp
75. U.S. Patent 0239,374  -- Regulating the Generation of Electric Currents
76. U.S. Patent 0239,745  -- Electric Lamp
77. U.S. Patent 0240,678  -- Webermeter
78. U.S. Patent 0242,896  -- Incandescent Electric Lamp
79. U.S. Patent 0242,897  -- Incandescent Electric Lamp
80. U.S. Patent 0242,898  -- Magneto or Dynamo Electric Machine
81. U.S. Patent 0242,899  -- Electric Lighting
82. U.S. Patent 0242,900  -- Manufacturing Carbons for Electric Lamps
83. U.S. Patent 0242,901  -- Electric Meter
84. U.S. Patent 0248,416  -- Manufacture of Carbons for Electric Lamps
85. U.S. Patent 0248,417  -- Manufacturing Carbons for Electric Lights
86. U.S. Patent 0248,418  -- Electric Lamp
87. U.S. Patent 0248,419  -- Electric Lamp
88. U.S. Patent 0248,420  -- Fixture and Attachment for Electric Lamps
89. U.S. Patent 0248,421  -- Current-Regulator for Dynamo-Electric Machines
90. U.S. Patent 0248,422  -- System of Electric Lighting
91. U.S. Patent 0248,423  -- Carbonizer
92. U.S. Patent 0248,424  -- Fitting and Fixture for Electric Lamps
93. U.S. Patent 0248,425  -- Apparatus for Producing High Vacuums
94. U.S. Patent 0248,426  -- Apparatus for Treating Carbons for Electric Lamps
95. U.S. Patent 0248,427  -- Apparatus for Treating Carbons for Electric Lamps
96. U.S. Patent 0248,428  -- Manufacture of Incandescent Electric Lamps
97. U.S. Patent 0248,429  -- Electric Motor
98. U.S. Patent 0248,430  -- Electro-Magnetic Brake
99. U.S. Patent 0248,431  -- Preserving Fruit
100. U.S. Patent 0248,432  -- Magnetic Separator

The next series of patents Edison received was mainly for the electrical distrubition of power and the electric light. In 1883, Edward H. Johnson, a business associate of Edison, persuaded Frank J. Sprague to work for Edison. One of Sprague's significant contributions to the Edison Laboratory was the introduction of mathematical methods.

1. U.S. Patent 0248,433  -- Vacuum Apparatus (1881)
2. U.S. Patent 0248,434  -- Governor for Electric Engines
3. U.S. Patent 0248,435  -- Utilizing Electricity as a Motive Power
4. U.S. Patent 0248,436  -- Depositing Cell for Plating the Connections of Electric Lamps, & c.
5. U.S. Patent 0248,437  -- Apparatus for Treating Carbons for Electric Lamps
6. U.S. Patent 0248,565  -- Webermeter
7. U.S. Patent 0251,536  -- Vacuum-Pump
8. U.S. Patent 0251,537  -- Dynamo-Electric Machine
9. U.S. Patent 0251,538  -- Electric Light
10. U.S. Patent 0251,539  -- Electric Lamp
11. U.S. Patent 0251,540  -- Carbon for Electric Lamps
12. U.S. Patent 0251,541  -- Electro-Magnetic Motor
13. U.S. Patent 0251,542  -- System of Electric Lighting
14. U.S. Patent 0251,543  -- Electric Lamp
15. U.S. Patent 0251,544  -- Manufacture of Electric Lamps
16. U.S. Patent 0251,545  -- Electric Meter
17. U.S. Patent 0251,546  -- Electric Lamp
18. U.S. Patent 0251,547  -- Electrical Governor
19. U.S. Patent 0251,548  -- Incandescent Electric Lamp
20. U.S. Patent 0251,549  -- Electric Lamp and the Manufacture Thereof
21. U.S. Patent 0251,550  -- Magneto or Dynamo Electric Machine
22. U.S. Patent 0251,551  -- System of Electric Lighting
23. U.S. Patent 0251,552  -- Underground Conductors
24. U.S. Patent 0251,553  -- Electric Chandelier
25. U.S. Patent 0251,554  -- Electric Lamp and Socket or Holder
26. U.S. Patent 0251,555  -- Regulator for Dynamo-Electric Machines
27. U.S. Patent 0251,556  -- Regulator for Magneto or Dynamo Electric Machines
28. U.S. Patent 0251,557  -- Webermeter
29. U.S. Patent 0251,558  -- Webermeter
30. U.S. Patent 0251,559  -- Electrical Drop-Light
31. U.S. Patent 0252,442  -- Telephone
32. U.S. Patent 0257,677  -- Telephone
33. U.S. Patent 0263,131  -- Magnetic Ore-Separator
34. U.S. Patent 0263,132  -- Electro-Magnetic Railway
35. U.S. Patent 0263,133  -- Dynamo or Magneto Electric Machine
36. U.S. Patent 0263,134  -- Regulator for Dynamo or Magneto Electric Machines
37. U.S. Patent 0263,135  -- Electric Lamp
38. U.S. Patent 0263,136  -- Regulator for Dynamo or Magneto Electric Machines
39. U.S. Patent 0263,137  -- Electric Chandelier
40. U.S. Patent 0263,138  -- Electric-Arc Light
41. U.S. Patent 0263,139  -- Manufacture of Carbons for Electric Lamps
42. U.S. Patent 0263,140  -- Dynamo-Electric Machine
43. U.S. Patent 0263,141  -- Straightening Carbons of Electric Incandescent Lamps
44. U.S. Patent 0263,142  -- Electrical Distribution System
45. U.S. Patent 0263,143  -- Magneto or Dynamo Electric Machine
46. U.S. Patent 0263,144  -- Mold for Carbonizing Incandescents
47. U.S. Patent 0263,145  -- Process of Making Incandescents
48. U.S. Patent 0263,146  -- Dynamo Magneto Electric Machine
49. U.S. Patent 0263,147  -- Vacuum Apparatus
50. U.S. Patent 0263,148  -- Dynamo or Magneto Electric Machine
51. U.S. Patent 0263,149  -- Commutator for Dynamo or Magneto Electric Machines
52. U.S. Patent 0263,150  -- Magneto or Dynamo Electric Machine
53. U.S. Patent 0263,878  -- Electric Lamp
54. U.S. Patent 0264,642  -- Electric Distribution and Translation System
55. U.S. Patent 0264,643  -- Magneto-Electric Machine
56. U.S. Patent 0264,645