Below is a list of Edison patents. Thomas Edison was an inventor who accumulated 512 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. patent number – name of patent (external links to patent images in TIFF format) – 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 unsuccessful. (1869) – Printing-Telegraphs – Printing-Telegraph Apparatus – Automatic Electrical for Telegraph Apparatus – Printing-Telegraph Apparatus – Electro-Motor Escapements – Printing-Telegraph Instruments – Governors for Electro-Motors – Printing-Telegraph Apparatus – Printing-Telegraph Apparatus – Telegraphic Transmitting Instruments – Relay Magnets – Electro-Magnets for Telegraph Instruments – Machinery for Perforating Paper for Telegraph Purposes – Telegraph Apparatus (1872) – Printing-Telegraphs – Telegraph Apparatus – Telegraphic Recording Instruments – Type-Wheels for Printing-Telegraphs – Type-Wheels for Printing-Telegraphs – Printing-Telegraphs – Printing-Telegraphs – Printing-Telegraphs – Printing-Telegraphs – Printing-Telegraphs – Printing-Telegraphs – Printing-Telegraphs – Printing-Telegraphs – Printing-Telegraphs – Printing-Telegraphs – Printing-Telegraphs – Printing-Telegraph Instruments – Electro-Magnets – Rheotomes or Circuit-Directors – Printing-Telegraphs –