Which early pioneer in motion pictures is credited with various inventions?

Thomas Edison is credited with multiple significant inventions related to early motion pictures, making him a pivotal figure in the development of the film industry. He is best known for creating the Kinetoscope, a device that allowed a single viewer to watch moving pictures, which laid the groundwork for future cinematic technology. Edison's experiments in motion pictures also included early film production practices and innovations in studio techniques at his Black Maria studio.

In contrast, while Leland Stanford was an influential figure in California's railroads and the economy, and Denis Kearney was known for his labor activism, neither made contributions to the field of motion pictures. Rodney King, recognized for his role in the civil rights movement, does not have a connection to the early film industry or the inventions associated with it. Thus, Edison stands out as the key pioneer in this realm due to his impactful inventions and contributions to the motion picture industry.