Final answer:
Thomas Edison is credited with starting the first industrial research laboratory, resulting in inventions like the battery and motion picture projector. Holding 1,093 patents, his Menlo Park lab set the precedent for modern R&D practices.
Step-by-step explanation:
The individual credited for starting the first industrial research laboratory and pioneering many new inventions, including the battery and motion picture, is Thomas Edison. Globally recognized for his extraordinary contributions, which extended beyond the famous incandescent light bulb, Edison's array of inventions also encompasses the phonograph, the mimeograph machine, the dictaphone, and notably the motion picture projector. Edison's Menlo Park research laboratory was an incubator for creativity and innovation, where a team of scientists, engineers, and craftsmen collaborated under his leadership. This structured, team-based approach to research and development became a model for industrial manufacturing processes subsequently adopted worldwide.An inventor with an immense legacy, Edison held a staggering 1,093 patents throughout his lifetime. His driven personality led him to aim for frequent innovations, both minor and major, fostering a culture of persistent advancement. It's his relentless pursuit of invention that has solidified him not just as an inventor but as an icon of American ingenuity and progress.Hence, the main answer to the question is A) Thomas Edison. From establishing the first power company to patenting a wide array of devices, Edison's influence stretched far and wide, reshaping American industry and lifestyles.