The seventh release in the popular series of coins celebrating famous Icons of Inspiration features Thomas Edison. With 1,093 record breaking patents, Thomas Alva Edison was one of the greatest inventors in history. Born in Milan, Ohio, but living a large portion of his life in West Orange, New Jersey, Edison is probably best known for inventing the incandescent light bulb, in which he failed 2,774 times before finally breaking through! He also created the phonograph and the motion picture camera, as well as made major contributions in improving the telegraph and telephone. He died a folk-hero to many, as his life epitomized the American Dream. He lived a rags-to-riches story as he overcame his partial deafness, and through hard work and determination, became a world-renowned inventor and an icon.