The Economic Times

In 1869, an American inventor and businessman at the age of 21 created a revolutionary machine to record votes long before anyone can imagine it: How did Thomas Edison's first invention worked?

In 1869, an American inventor and businessman created a revolutionary machine to record votes through an electrical system. Thomas Edison received his first patent for the device on June 1, 1869. The vote recorder allowed legislators to cast yes or no votes using switches. Congress did not accept it because faster voting could reduce debate and political discussion.