32. Edison was less an inventor than a modifier of existing inventions
Thomas Edison filed a patent for an improved light bulb rather than for the light bulb as his invention. He employed numerous engineers and technicians at his Menlo Park laboratories, nearly all of them investigating the ways and means of improving existing technology and patenting the results. Edison also acquired many existing patents through the tried and true method of suing the patent holders for infringement, and using his financial resources to exhaust those of his opponents. In 1908 Edison attempted to monopolize the growing motion picture industry, an effort which was finally found to be in violation of American antitrust laws. Edison was more of a ruthless businessman than inventor.