Thomas Edison’s reputation is complicated. He is without a doubt the most well-known of all the inventors of his era — possibly ever. Yet, when his name comes up in conversation, the word ‘fraud’ often accompanies it. ‘Edison didn’t even invent the light bulb,’ often quickly follows any mention of his name in conversation. And it’s true, he didn’t. Instead, he was a technical founder, taking existing ideas and bringing them to market.

Edison may not have been the first to any of the big-name inventions he is known for. He was a different kind of inventor. He improved several big-name inventions, made hundreds of the small inventions needed to bring electric lighting to the masses, and was an able — even if at times imperfect — executive when he needed to be, capable of making a massive operation like this work.

As a technical founder, he was extraordinary. However, vital pieces of Edison’s process would be difficult today. Some pieces would often stray into illegality – especially his endless and never pre-approved experimentation. And many of today’s potential Edisons are drawn into academia, with its siloing, lack of a profit motive, and less practical focus.