This would be the world we would be living in, had it not been for one scientist who made all the difference: Edison is credited for the invention of the phonograph, the modern light bulb, and one of the first motion picture machines called the kinetoscope. Thomas edison may be the greatest inventor in history. He passed away in 1931, at the age of 84. Thomas edison is most famous for his invention of the light bulb and for being one of the greatest inventors in the history of the united state.