1. The Wizard Of Menlo Park
Thomas Edison
The Wizard Of Menlo Park

2. Introduction
You will study the life of Thomas Alva Edison. Thomas Edison was a very prominent inventor. His innovative ideas and inventions changed the way of the life for Americans and the entire world. But, there are a lot of things you might not know about Thomas Edison. Did he really invent the light bulb? Were all of his inventions his own ideas? Was he really the greatest inventor of his time?

3. Your Task You will navigate through this web quest on Thomas Edison
Your Task You will navigate through this web quest on Thomas Edison. You will create a power point essay on Thomas Edison’s impact on society. You will present your essay to the class along with one visual aid to support your essay.

4. Timeline Of Events
Day 1: Navigate through the Edison Webquest. Jot down any pertinent information.
Day 2: Analyze the information you wrote down from the web quest. Create a storyboard of your power point presentation.
Day 3: Review the web quest on Thomas Edison. Jot down anymore information you feel is pertinent to your presentation. Begin creating your final presentation
Day 4: Finish your final presentation.
Day 5: Present your essay to the class

5. Edison Biography -The Early Years -Becoming An Inventor -Current Wars
-The Later Years
Inventions
-Light Bulb
-Phonograph
-Movie Camera
-Direct Current

6. The Early Years – Menlo Park
Thomas Alva Edison was born in Melan, Ohio February 11th He was generally known as “Al”. He was the youngest of seven children to Sam and Nancy Edison.
Was he a good student? Was he well-educated?
Click here to find out more

7. Becoming An Inventor
In 1876 Edison opened a lab in Menlo Park, NJ. It was here that he became known as “The Wizard Of Menlo Park”. And it was also here created his first great invention…The phonograph.
What else led to Edison becoming an inventor?

8. Current Wars
Edison battled for electrical supremacy with a great another great inventor named Nikola Tesla. Edison invented D.C. Current and Tesla invented A.C. Current. Eventually Tesla’s Alternating Current won out. But, the war between the two was ugly. Find out more about this futile battle.

9. Edison publically electrocuted an elephant to show that AC current is too dangerous for public use.

10. The Later Years
In this video, Edison reflects on his most prominent inventions.
Edison died at in his home in West Orange, NJ on October 13th As his health declined he was not able to work in his lab as he would have liked. But, he was still had many accomplishments during the latter years of his life. Learn more about those accomplishments here.

11. Edison’s Inventions
Edison had 1,093 patents. Here is a list of his major inventions. Research Edisons other patents. Did he have any failed inventions?
Invention
Year
Place
Description
Stock Ticker
1869
New York City
Stock prices provided through telegraphy
Phonograph
1877
Menlo Park
Voice recorder
Light Bulb
1879
Carbon filament in vacuum tube creates illumination
Power Station
1880’s
Manhattan
Generates residential power
Kinetoscope
West Orange
Moving Pictures with sound

12. The Light Bulb
Contrary to what you might have heard, Edison did not invent the light bulb. Edison improved on the light bulb. But, his new design made the light bulb more efficient and practical.
What improvements did Edison make to the light bulb?

13. The Phonograph
Back to “Becoming An Inventor”
The phonograph was one of Edison’s first patented inventions and his favorites. And when you consider the many intricate, working parts it is amazing to think that the idea was soley his own.
How did he come up with the idea for the phonograph? What would it be used for? Did he need help creating his idea?

14. Movie Camera
Not only was Edison not the inventor of the first movie camera. In fact, he refused on offer by Edward Muybridege to create such a contraption.
Edison’s laboratory was credited for the invention. But, just how involved was Edison?

15. Kinetoscope
The first movie camera was actually called the Kinetoscope. The film was 18mm wide and ran continuously between two spools. A shutter and aperture were also used to help give the illusion of movement.
Study the intricate workings of this amazing machine.

16. DC Current
A diagram of the first DC Dynamo.
Despite losing the “current war” to Nikola Tesla, DC Current is still widely used in electronic equipment everywhere.
No matter who won the war. This invention brought electricity into the homes of all people.
What is the difference between AC and DC Current?
To Rubric

17. Tesla: Master Of Lightning
Nikola Tesla was severely overshadowed by Thomas Edison during their time. And caused a lot of that by discrediting AC Current. So, unfortunately, Tesla did not make the history books and is not well known by most Americans.
What other inventions did he create that have impacted society?
Back to “Current Wars”

18. Edison Vs. Tesla
Back to “Current Wars”

19. 1 2 3 4
Total
Write an essay on the impact of Thomas Edison's accomplishments on society.
Student can identify the accomplishments of Thomas Edison
Student understands Edison's accomplishments
Student can briefly comment on the impact of Edison's accomplishements.
Student can elaborate on the impact of Edison's accomplishments.
____
Find pertinent information in a web quest for an essay.
Student can read an comprehend given information from a web quest.
Student can utilize links in the web quest to access further information.
Student can identify pertinent information given in the web quest.
Student can identify pertinent information and record it in a notebook.
Students will navigate a web quest.
Student can randomly scroll through the quest slides, identify links and select them.
Students can navigate through the slides and links to find pertinent information.
Students navigate slide buttons and links to help them access pertinent information from the web.
Student uses web quest as a tool to explore deep into the web to find pertinent information.
Students will present an essay to the class.
Student communicates essay word for word with no elaboration.
Student communicates essay and clarifies a few points from the essay.
Student communicates the contents of the essay clearly and elaborates on key points
Student communicates the contents of the essay clearly and summarizes all of the key elements of the essay.
Student will use a visual aid to support the essay.
Student uses a visual aid, but, it has nothing to do with the essay.
Student uses a visual aid that has little to do with the essay.
Student uses a visual aid the supports the essay.
Student uses a visual aid that strongly supports the essay and capture the interest of the students.
Total---->
___

20. The End By: Ken Brewer MCOMM 510 Resources: www.inventors.about.com
Remember When: It Will Never Fly, HBO Special
The End
By: Ken Brewer
MCOMM 510
To Rubric