Thomas Alva Edison Birthplace Thomas Alva Edison Birthplace The Thomas Alva Edison Birthplace is a historic house museum at 9 Edison Drive in Milan, Ohio, Built in 1841, it was the birthplace of American inventor Thomas Alva Edison (1847-1931) was born on February 11, 1847. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1965, and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1966. It is now the Thomas Edison Birthplace Museum. The Thomas Alva Edison Birthplace is in a residential area north of downtown Milan, on the west side of North Edison Drive. It is a small 1-1/2 story brick building,
Philip Diehl (inventor) Philip Diehl (inventor) Philip H. Diehl (January 29, 1847 – April 7, 1913) was a German-American mechanical engineer and inventor who held several U.S. patents, including electric incandescent lamps, electric motors for sewing machines and other uses, and ceiling fans. Diehl was a contemporary of Thomas Edison and his inventions caused Edison to reduce the price of his incandescent bulb. He occasionally spelled his first name 'Phillip'. Philip H. Diehl was born in Dalsheim, Germany. In July 1868, he immigrated to New York City where he worked in several machine shops before finding work as an apprentice with the Singer