Below is a list of Edison patents. Thomas Edison was an inventor who accumulated 2,332 patents worldwide for his inventions. 1,093 of Edison's patents were in the United States, but other patents were approved in countries around the globe.

Introduction

Edison is credited for contributing to various inventions, including the phonograph, the kinetoscope, the dictaphone, the electric lamp (in particular the incandescent light bulb), and the autographic printer. He also greatly improved the telephone by inventing the carbon microphone. Most of these inventions were not completely original but improvements of earlier inventions. However, one of Edison's major innovations was the first industrial research and development lab, which was built in Menlo Park and West Orange. Throughout the 20th century, Edison was the world's most prolific inventor. At the beginning of the century, he held 736 U.S. patents. His final count was 1,093 U.S. patents, including 1084 utility patents (patents for inventions) and 9 artistic design patents. It was not until June 17, 2003 that he was passed by Japanese inventor Shunpei Yamazaki. Yamazaki was subsequently passed by Australian inventor Kia Silverbrook on February 26, 2008.

American patents

First hundred patents

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.

Second hundred (101 to 200)

In the second hundred patents, Edison continues his work with the telegraph. He also starts to patent electrical distribution and the light.

201 to 300

The next series of patents Edison received was mainly for the electrical distribution 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.

301 to 400

401 to 500

This period includes patents for electrical distribution circuits and methods as well as patents for the ore refining business Edison was embarking on. He also continued to patent improvements in telegraphy, phonography, and lighting. Arthur Edwin Kennelly contributed to a variety of Edison's endeavors undertaken to create a unique product or service from 1887 to 1893.

501 to 600

This series of patents mainly focus on the phonograph, telegraphy, telephone, and electrical generation and distribution.

601 to 700

This series of patents contain patents for the phonograph, lamps, telephone, dynamo systems, motors, and locomotives.

701 to 800

Around these patents issuances, Thomas Armat joined Edison and sold him the patents to the machine known as the Vitascope.

801 to 900

Toward the end of this series of patents, Ott was the superintendent of experimenters for Edison.

901 to 1000

1001 to 1084

This series of patents focus mainly on the phonograph and other talking-machines. There are several battery patents included in this portion of legal protections.

Design patents

Edison obtained a few design patents for the unique appearance and concept of items, giving Edison an industrial design right. His design patents are for phonograph cabinets and light bulbs with substantial decorative features.

Improvements

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