Edison was not an isolated 'inventor' as we've been made to believe, but a part of a scientific and inventive community. His work often involved taking existing, imperfect inventions and making significant improvements.
Edison built a research and development laboratory with a team of experts who, along with him, worked to find solutions. For example, when working on the light bulb, his team developed a long-lasting filament through extensive experimentation.
A key part of Edison's success was his ability to not only invent but also to manufacture, market, and install his products. This made his inventions more impactful and widely adopted than other similar, but less developed, ideas at the time.
Legally, Edison did not steal inventions, as his patents were not successfully challenged in court. However, the idea that he "stole" ideas is popular, particularly in the context of his relationship with other inventors like Nikola Tesla and his public image as a businessman who profited from inventions that were developed over time and by many different people.
Edison's team patented the motion picture camera and projector, and the company was ruthless in enforcing their patents against the numerous infringers working in the infant film industry. In New Jersey. Yes, the first film studios were in New Jersey with the money coming from New York City sources.
ReplyDeleteIn 1910 the filmmakers moved to California to escape Edison's goons, not just to get access to much better weather.
Edison was the Bill Gates of the day.
ReplyDeleteMeaning, he stole everyone else’s ideas.
DeleteGet real - he got most of his ideas while on vacation in Wacanda.
ReplyDeleteBut there is an elephant in the room - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrocuting_an_Elephant
ReplyDelete