Thomas Edison Success Story – A Greatest Inspirational Scientist of 20th Century

Thomas Edison – Introduction

Thomas Edison, American inventor and a businessman, who invented the phonograph, the motion picture camera, and the practical electric light bulb. He is celebrated not only for his contribution to the science in the form of different inventions but unique educational journey.

Thomas Edison’s entire life is full of inspirational lessons. He made significant contributions to many fields, including electricity, telecommunications, and sound recordings.

Education and Homeschooling

Thomas Alva Edison prominently known as Thomas Edison was born on 11 Feb, 1847, in Milan, Ohio. He was the youngest of seven siblings. His formal education begane when he was seven but lasted a few months. His teacher considered him as a hyperactive and difficult child to deal with. However, her mother Nancy Edison decided to withdraw him from the school just after 12 weeks of admission.

Edison’s mother Nancy Edison was a former teacher. She took on responsibility of educating her son at home. Very soon she came to know about Thomas’s appetite for knowledge and encouraged his curiosity. Under the teachings of her mother Thomas developed a great love for reading and wide range of subjects specially science and Mathematics. Even after the withdrawal of studies from school, Nancy Edison played the most important role in shaping Edison’s educational foundation.

His mother allowed him to explore various subjects and he started reading voraciously from the family library. This unique reading habit laid the ground work for his interest and innovative ideas. Edison was characterized by his relentless curiosity and passion for experimentation. He believed in learning by doing, led him to perform numerous experiments, often with unconventional and creative methods.

At the age of 12, Thomas started generating income along with his studies at home. He sold newspaper and snacks on train running between port Huron and Detroit. This helped him to have access to a variety newspapers and periodicals. He set up a small laboratory in a baggage car to conduct experiments in his free time. His earning also helped him to buy chemicals and equipments.

Learning Through Experiments

His mother’s teachings made him a great knowledge and understanding seeker. He built a library of technical books and scientific literature, which he used as reference material throughout his career. His Menlo Park Laboratory is often referred to as world’s first research and development facility.

Thomas Edison success was a result of his innovative mindset, dedication and the unique educational method of learning.

Thomas Edison’s Discoveries

Thomas Edison – Business Life

Thomas Edison was a great personality. He not only got success in the field of science but business also. His first venture was a telegraphy company. He improved stock ticker, which led to his first major financial success.

In 1876, he established Menlo Park Laboratory in New Jersey which later on became the model for future laboratories.

In 1878, he founded an electric light company named Edison Electric light company. Aim of developing this company was to develope and market incandescent light bulb. This company was precursor to General electric and remain one of the largest company in the World.

He also commercialized Phonograph and motion picture Camera by establishing the companies and managed the inventions.

Thomas Edison was master in patenting his inventions. He protected his intellectual property to control the commercial use of his ideas. He was also skillful in bringing together talented engineers and to work on his project.

Thomas Edison – Final Message

We often hear that nothing is impossible. Thomas Edison proved this in real life. His studies at school lasted only for two weeks. Traditionally, people do things after completing their formal education in a particular subject. Nobody might have thought a kid like Thomas would become a legendary personality in field of science and that his discoveries would change the lifestyle of the common man.

Mother is considered as the first teacher of a kid. Mothers play most important role in overall growth of a kid. Nancy Edison did the same. Her visionary attitude made Thomas think in the same direction and for reason Thomas created history.

Thomas Edison has proved that the success and discoveries related to science are possible without formal education. Necessity is the mother of all inventions. Need of the hour was discovery of light bulb, Phonograph and the motion picture Camera. Thomas did exactly the same.

For more information