Introduction

Thomas Edison is known as one of the greatest American inventors. He is most known for inventing the phonograph, motion picture camera and most importantly the electric light bulb. In this book, you will learn more about his life, his family and his inventions.

Thomas Alva Edison was born in Milan, Ohio on February 11, 1847. He was the youngest of seven children.

As a boy he was often sick with scarlet fever and ear infections. When he was older he was almost deaf but said that is was caused by an accident with a train conductor.

His family moved to Port Huron, Michigan when he was very young.

As a boy, he did not do very well in school. His teachers believed he was too hyper and unfocused to attend school.

His mother was a school teacher, and decided it was best to teach him at home. But he loved to read and teach himself new things.

Thomas as a young boy

After he started being homeschooled by his mother, he started selling various things such as candy and newspapers at the train stations. When he was older he started his own newspaper to give to the passengers. In his free time he would do experiments and read as many books as he could.

Thomas worked for the Grand Trunk Railway

When Thomas was 15 he started working as a telegraph operator. He got the job by saving a little boy, who was almost run over by a train. His father rewarded Thomas with a job.

At 19 he moved to Louisville, Kentucky. He worked at night and conducted experiments during the day. He loved his job but he loved science more.

But, one day he was fired because he did an experiment and the chemicals ruined his boss's desk.

He had to go back home.

A telegraph

He went home to help his family with money. Then he moved to Newark, New Jersey to start inventing. His first invention that made him famous was the phonograph. No one had ever seen something like it and they could not believe it.

Thomas with his phonograph in 1878

Shortly after getting a patent for his phonograph, Thomas opened his laboratory in New Jersey. There he patented over 2,332 inventions. One of the most famous was the electric lightbulb.

Laboratory in New Jersey