Thomas Alva Edison was born on February 11th, 1847 in Milan, Ohio. He was the youngest of the seven children of Samuel Edison and Nancy Elliot. At the age of seven, the Edisons moved to Port Huron, Michigan where his father sold lumber and grain to earn a living for the family. During school, Edison took interest in science, but none in math. About three months into school, Edison's teacher kicked him out of school for poor performance. From that point on, Edison was homeschooled by his mother. Edison set up a chemistry lab in his basement and more times than once, set his house on fire. Being adventurous and to earn a living for his family, 14-year-old Edison sold newspapers and candy on a train. He even invented a portable printer to make his own newspapers. At the last stop, he would get off and wander around until the train got back. He also had a chemistry lab on the train and he was banned once he set the baggage car on fire. During this time, Edison developed a loss of hearing, possibly a result of an accident or illness.
Even though he wasn't allowed on the train any more, 16-year-old Edison still hung around the station. This is fortunate, because a little boy fell onto the tracks of an oncomming train and Edison got him off. The little boy happened to be the son of the stationmaster, who gave Edison telegraphing lessons in return for saving his son's life. Edison then traveled around the U.S. looking for telegraphing jobs. He became known as the best telegrapher in the U.S. After being discovered by Laws' Gold Indicator Company, Edison was hired for electrical engineering. Edison then broke off from the company and created his own, specializing in all electrical jobs. The company grew into a large complex of several buildings, later to become General Electric Company.
Edison went on to create multiple inventions, such as the dictaphone, the storage battery, the phonograph, the Edison Vitascope, improved telegraph machines and some military weapons to name a few. These inventions earned him the nickname: The Wizard of Menlo Park. One invention stands out from the rest -- the light bulb. Edison used the Edisonian Approach to invent the light bulb, which included tireless hours at his lab. Edison created a system of lighting, which he put into his Menlo Park house. Edison invited who ever would like to watch the spectacle of the incandescent lights. After a few day, Edison had to block off the viewing from the public because people were constantly in his house, marveling at his invention.
In his lifetime, Thomas Edison earned 1,093 patents, becoming one of the most recognized inventors in the world. Thomas Alva Edison died on October 18th, 1931.
Even though he wasn't allowed on the train any more, 16-year-old Edison still hung around the station. This is fortunate, because a little boy fell onto the tracks of an oncomming train and Edison got him off. The little boy happened to be the son of the stationmaster, who gave Edison telegraphing lessons in return for saving his son's life. Edison then traveled around the U.S. looking for telegraphing jobs. He became known as the best telegrapher in the U.S. After being discovered by Laws' Gold Indicator Company, Edison was hired for electrical engineering. Edison then broke off from the company and created his own, specializing in all electrical jobs. The company grew into a large complex of several buildings, later to become General Electric Company.
Edison went on to create multiple inventions, such as the dictaphone, the storage battery, the phonograph, the Edison Vitascope, improved telegraph machines and some military weapons to name a few. These inventions earned him the nickname: The Wizard of Menlo Park. One invention stands out from the rest -- the light bulb. Edison used the Edisonian Approach to invent the light bulb, which included tireless hours at his lab. Edison created a system of lighting, which he put into his Menlo Park house. Edison invited who ever would like to watch the spectacle of the incandescent lights. After a few day, Edison had to block off the viewing from the public because people were constantly in his house, marveling at his invention.
In his lifetime, Thomas Edison earned 1,093 patents, becoming one of the most recognized inventors in the world. Thomas Alva Edison died on October 18th, 1931.