Paul Israel

Paul Israel is a Research Professor at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, where he serves as Director and General Editor of the Thomas A. Edison Papers Project. He specializes in the history of science and technology, with a focus on American invention and innovation.

Research Interests: His work explores technological creativity, the evolution of modern innovation, industrial research laboratories, patent systems, and the interplay between science, technology, and business. He has extensively studied Edison’s transformation of invention into a collaborative, industrial process.

Publications and Editorial Work: Israel has led the publication of multiple volumes of The Papers of Thomas A. Edison, including Volume 8 (2015), covering 1885–1887. The project has produced a comprehensive digital archive of over 150,000 documents.

Scientific Awards:

• Edelstein (Dexter) Prize, Society for the History of Technology (SHOT), 2000
• Eugene S. Ferguson Prize (retrospective), SHOT, 2005 (awarded to the Edison Papers project)

Teaching and Public Engagement: He teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in the history of technology and innovation. He has contributed to over forty television and radio documentaries and collaborated with institutions like the Smithsonian and the Thomas Edison National Historical Park on exhibits and educational programs.

Academic Background: Israel earned his Ph.D. in history from Rutgers University. He previously conducted research in California before joining the Edison Papers staff.