One reason is that he is credited with creating the first mass-scale scientific research laboratory. He had numerous scientists work with him and was among the first to develop and spread the idea of large-scale inventions that included huge amounts of people and engineers who worked together to invent and manufacture a new product. This business model is now used everywhere.
Another reason is that he is credited with the invention of the first kinetoscope. He and his inventors managed to create and develop the kinetoscope which was something like a camera which managed to make motion pictures and was among the first in the world to do it. Without this development, there wouldn't be anything like Hollywood or the long history of the movies industry in the US.
Another is the development of the light-bulb. Thanks to the patents he had due to his previous inventions, he managed to create a light-bulb that was miles ahead of anything that other scientists were creating at the time. This light-bulb revolutionized the world and it is why we have light-bulbs everywhere nowadays.
Another can be that he had 1093 patents in the United States alone. This means that he managed to successfully invent, with the help of his team of course, over 1093 original things that were used worldwide and they all started from his research facility in the US. Without these patents, the US would be nowhere near where it is now.<span />
A poll tax was imposed on voters. I have found the poll tax receipt my mother paid back in the 1960s. Poor people could not afford to pay a tax to vote, because their income was so low.
