1. Thomas Alva Edison What’s the Bright Idea? Photo credit:
Microsoft. (Designer). (2010). Clip art [Web Graphic]. Retrieved from
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Grade 1 Unit 11, Lesson 01

2. Thomas Alva Edison
Thomas Alva Edison was one of the greatest and most prolific inventors of the modern era. In his lifetime, he acquired an amazing 1,093 patents.
Photo credit:
(1878). Thomas edison. (1878). [Print Photo]. Retrieved from
“Genius is one percent inspiration,
ninety-nine percent perspiration.”
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3. Early Years
Thomas Alva Edison was born on February 11, 1847 in Ohio. He was the youngest of seven children. His family called him “Al”.
Photo credit:
(1915). Thomas alva edison. (1915). [Print Photo]. Retrieved from
“My mother was the making of me. She was so true, so sure of me, and I felt I had some one to live for, some one I must not disappoint.”
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4. School
His favorite hobby was performing chemistry experiments in his basement. He had difficulties with school. His mother decided to teach him at home.
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5. On the Train
In 1859, when he was 12, he worked selling newspapers and candy on the railroad. He set up a laboratory in the baggage car. A fire in his lab forced him to stop his experiments on the train.
He lost a lot of his hearing by the age of 14. He did not let this discourage him.
Photo credit:
(2013). Train with conductor. (2013). [Print Photo]. Retrieved from
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6. On His Own
When he was 15, he learned how to use the telegraph. He had many different telegraph jobs during the next four years. He continued his scientific experiments while he worked.
In 1869, he quit his job and spent all his time inventing things. His first invention was an electric vote recorder.
Photo credit:
Schanlaub, J. (Photographer). (2009). Telegraph key and sounder. [Print Photo]. Retrieved from
“If we all did the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves.”
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7. Family
While Edison was working on several patents for improvements to the telegraph, he married Mary Stilwell (in 1871) and started his family. His first child, a daughter, Marion was nicknamed Dot. His son, Thomas, was nicknamed Dash. His third son was named William.
Photo credit:
(2007). Thomas alva edison. (2007). [Print Drawing]. Retrieved from
“To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk.”
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8. The Invention Factory
In 1876, Edison founded his “Invention Factory” in Menlo Park. It was there that he and his employees worked on several different inventions at the same time.
Photo credit:
Balet, A. (Photographer). (2006). Thomas edison's menlo park laboratory. [Print Photo]. Retrieved from
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9. The Phonograph “I never did a day’s work in my life. It was all fun.”
In 1877, while working on improving the telephone and telegraph, Edison invented the phonograph. When he spoke the words “Mary had a little lamb” into the mouthpiece, the machine played it back.
Photo credit:
Sienicki, T. (Photographer). (2004). Edison phonograph. [Print Photo]. Retrieved from
“I never did a day’s work in my life. It was all fun.”
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10. The Light Bulb
Edison wanted to invent a workable electric light system that would replace candles and gaslight forever. After many tries, a light bulb made with carbonized thread was finally invented in
Photo credit:
(2006). Bluehbirne 2 db. (2006). [Print Photo]. Retrieved from
“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”
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11. The Light System
The first light system was installed at Menlo Park. Many people came to see the new discovery. The first public light system was installed in New York City in There were 400 lamps. Within a year there were 10,300 lamps being used.
Photo credit:
(1882). Edison lamp with bamboo filament. (1882). [Print Photo]. Retrieved from
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12. A New Family
After Edison’s first wife died, he married Mina Miller and had three more children. The family lived in a large mansion in West Orange, New Jersey.
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13. Motion Pictures
In 1891, Edison filed a patent for a motion picture camera called a kinetograph. In 1893, he opened a motion picture studio and began producing short films. Edison also experimented with synchronizing sound to film.
Photo credit:
(1891). Courtesy edison national historic site, west orange, nj. (1891). [Print Photo]. Retrieved from
“I am experimenting upon an instrument which does for the eye what the phonograph does for the ear. “
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14. Later Years
In the 1920’s, Edison was not in good health. He continued some experiments but now his company was run by his son, Charles. After many years of ill health, he died on October 18, 1931 at his home in West Orange, New Jersey. He was 84.
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15. A Great Influence
Thomas Edison had a tremendous effect on our everyday lives. His attitude and work have been an inspiration to inventors, engineers and scientists everywhere. He made it seem as if nothing was beyond our reach - if only we try.
Photo credit:
(2006). Bluehbirne 2 db. (2006). [Print Photo]. Retrieved from
“He illuminated the path of progress by his inventions.”
Thomas Edison’s Congressional Medal of Honor certificate
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