His is a rags-to-riches story - virtually turning the fate of his life from being a ‘confused’ lad to the most recognized and respected American, amongst numerous others, in the world. Thomas Alva Edison is a name to reckon with in the scientific and technological circles of the world. A prolific inventor and a leading businessman, he was the mastermind behind numerous discoveries and innovations that helped build America's economy. It was his intelligence, ideas, hard work and perseverance that made him the front-runner in America’s first technological revolution. Edison is reported to have set the stage for the modern electric world. It is his discoveries and inventions that became the foundation of industries and made life blissful for the human race. With about 1093 US patents and many more patents in other countries, Edison is accredited with numerous inventions, including stock ticker, phonograph, first practical electric light bulb, motion picture camera, mechanical vote recorder and a battery for an electric car.