Thomas Alva Edison was born on 11th of February, 1847. He went on to become one of the most prolific and famous inventors of the modern era. His contributions to science and technology are ubiquitous in contemporary life with over 10093 patents, including the incandescent light bulb, phonograph and improvements to both the telegraph and telephone.
Born in Milan, Ohio, Edison was the son of Sam and Nancy. He was the youngest of the couple's seven children and was known as 'Al' throughout his youth. Like many children of the 19th century, Thomas Edison suffered with ill health during his childhood. Sadly, three of his siblings did not survive to adulthood.
Perhaps unsurprisingly given his future path, young Al was interested in all things mechanical. In addition, he is said to have had a penchant for chemistry experiments.
In 1854, Sam Edison moved his family to Port Huron, Michigan, there he worked at a lumber business and hoped to build a more prosperous life.
Unfortunately, Thomas Edison did not flourish at school. Considered a poor student, his headmaster called him "addled". At the age of twelve, Edison's mother, Nancy, removed him from the school and taught him at home. This was to have a profound affect on Edison and years later he would say, "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."
At around the same time, Thomas Edison went almost completely deaf. Many causes have been offered to explain this sudden onset of hearing loss. Some believe that it was due to an earlier bout of scarlet fever. Others cite a conductor, who boxed young Edison's ears after it was believed he caused a fire in a baggage car (something Edison vehemently denied).
Edison's own opinion regarding his hearing loss was that it was caused by being grabbed by the ears and lifted onto a train. Whatever the cause, Edison's poor hearing led to him being a more solitary figure. However, it could also be argued that this enabled him to study privately and enjoy similar solitary pursuits, which would ultimately prove the making of him.
In 1859, Thomas Edison began his first job, selling newspapers and candy on the Grand Trunk Railroad. Apparently, during this period, he set up a laboratory on board the train (in the baggage car) and would conduct experiments in chemistry. These activities were stopped after an accidental fire was started.
Thomas Edison did not have an easy childhood. He was not gifted academically, nor did he come from a privileged background. However, his curiosity was ever present and his desire to learn was unquenchable. It is, therefore, not hard to see how he became such a prominent figure as an inventor, scientist and businessman.
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Fausto draws inspiration from those who lived before us. In particular he is a fan of Thomas Edison Quotes. If you want to read some of Edison's quotes, or learn more about Thomas Edisons Lightbulbink, follow Frank's writings.
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