Edison purchased patents from all sorts of inventors and then used them to put other inventors out of business. He also waged other disputes with other inventors (famously against Tesla over AC vs DC power).
Edison purchased Fergie Jenkins’ patent to keep film from flapping around in movie projectors (Jenkins did studies into how a flag flaps in the wind) and Jenkins later worked on early television and radiovision prototypes (television is actually what we know as cablevision). Radiovision was broadcast signal. Television was transmitted by wire and he had difficulty securing enough wire of significant grade to transmit a signal any sizable distance. He published a book on his efforts in the 1920s that included plans on how to build receivers so he could see how far his signals were being received.
Edison was an insufferable prig! He paid boys to steal family’s pets, and electrocuted the pets to show how unsafe AC was. Even did in an elephant. He promised to pay Tesla for a job, then laughed at him when Tesla asked for the promised amount. Edison told him it was a joke, and that Tesla didn’t understand American humor!
“Edison purchased Fergie Jenkins’ patent to keep film from flapping around in movie projectors”
And Fergie still had time to win 284 games and strike out over 3,000 batters! : )