Besides being one of the world's most prominent and famous American inventors, Thomas Alva Edison managed to become a well-known entrepreneur and industrialist by marketing inventions of his own creation. By selling his inventions to consumers, businesses, and industries, he helped all Americans across the country live a more convenient and simpler life. In his lifetime, Edison obtained 1,093 United States patents for his numerous ingenious inventions for everyday life. He created such inventions as the carbon telephone transmitter, the phonograph, the incandescent electric light, and motion picture devices; he also created the world's first industrial research laboratory. Through his entrepreneurial spirit and the influences of others, Thomas Edison was able to greatly change modern life.
One important key to Edison's successful career was the great strengths he had. Work meant everything to him and he was always dedicated to his jobs. Sometimes he got so caught up in his work he stayed at his laboratory for days. Edison was well known and very admired for his perseverance and determination. One of Edison's famous aphorisms was, "Genius is ninety-nine percent perspiration and one percent inspiration" (Baldwin 74). Edison believed that hard work and diligence could lead to great success. Whenever he worked on an experiment, he never gave up and worked excessively until he could solve and analyze the problem. .
Another reason for Edison's success was that he never worried himself and did not spend too much time doing unprolific things (Baldwin 325-26). Edison knew how to make use of his time, and he spent his time working on experiments with confidence and assurance instead of being worrisome and distressed. "Closely linked to Edison's creative gifts were his unfailing optimism and extraordinary confidence in himself. That confidence helped Edison over many a rough spot" (Adair 128). Edison had absolute confidence in his own aptitude and ingenuity; he .