Thomas Edison was an inventor, although he is often referred to as a scientist. While he did conduct experiments and research, he was primarily focused on developing practical applications of scientific principles.

Here's a breakdown:

* Inventor: Edison excelled at creating new devices and technologies, like the light bulb, phonograph, and motion picture camera. He was a master of engineering and design, not pure scientific discovery.

* Scientist: He conducted research, made observations, and experimented to improve his inventions, but he wasn't focused on formulating new scientific theories or conducting fundamental research.

So, while he was a brilliant and innovative figure, it's more accurate to call him an inventor rather than a scientist.