Thomas Edison was a prolific inventor, shameless self-promoter, and masterful catnapper. Legend has it that he would sleep in his chair, holding ball bearings in the palms of his hands. After an appropriate number of z's, he'd relax enough to drop the balls, waking himself up. Then he'd go back to inventing lightbulbs and other bric-a-brac. In celebration of Edison's commitment to innovation and snoozing, we've compiled the most impressive-sounding nap-tech of the 21st century.

1 Sleeptracker Pro
Bully: "Hey, nerd, nice giant watch."
Geek: "You are mistaken. This is a sensor that wakes me at the optimal point in my sleep cycle."
Bully: "Huh?"
Geek: "It tracks movements to determine sleep stage."
Bully: "You have bested me!"

What would Edison think? "Even at $179, it beats my ball bearings."

2 Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Neuroscientist Giulio Tononi discovered that a magnetic pulse can trigger the same brain-wave activity that occurs during deep slumber. Can an electromagnetic nap-cap be far behind?

What would Edison think? "Does this Tononi have a patent?"

3 Pzizz Energizer
By randomly playing music, nature sounds, Neuro Linguistic Programming (aka talking), and binaural audio tones (don't ask), this $30 app can create a near-limitless number of lullabies.

What would Edison think? "I particularly like the fact that you can export tracks to your iTunes player."

4 MindSpa
This "personal development system" combines white light and pulsating sounds to shift your brain waves into the alpha and theta — or la-la — frequencies.

What would Edison think? "Intriguing, but $280 seems a bit steep for a rudimentary drum machine and blinking sunglasses."

5 MetroNaps EnergyPods
Bosses, it's fatigue risk management. Recharge your drones in this $12,500 bed — knees level with heart to reduce back strain — until lights and vibrations nudge them back to the hive.

What would Edison think? "Only for those not ashamed to say, Me likey nap time.'"