Thomas Alva Edison (1847-1931) was a world-famous electrician and inventor in the United States of America. In addition to his inventions in phonographs, electric lights, telephones, telegraphs, movies, etc. In addition to inventions and contributions, there are also many famous creations and insights in mining, construction, chemical industry and other fields. Edison made about 2,000 inventions throughout his life, making great contributions to human civilization and progress.

Edison was also a great entrepreneur. In 1879, Edison founded the "Edison Electric Lighting Company". In 1880, incandescent lamps were put on the market. In 1890, Edison had organized its various businesses into Edison General Electric Company. In 1891, Edison patented his thin-filament, high-vacuum incandescent light bulb. In 1892, Tom Houston Company and Edison Electric and Lighting Company merged to form General Electric Company. The beginning of General Electric's century-long dominance in the electrical field.

Life

Edison was born on February 11, 1847, in the small town of Milan, Ohio, USA. His father is of Dutch descent, and his mother worked as a primary school teacher and is of Scottish descent. When Edison was 7 years old, his father lost money in his roofing business, so he moved the family to Fort Gratiot in the northern suburbs of Huron, Michigan. Shortly after moving here, Edison contracted scarlet fever and remained ill for a long time. The disease was believed to be the cause of his deafness. Edison went to school at the age of 8, but after only three months of studying, he was dismissed by the teacher as an "imbecile" and kicked out of school. From then on, his mother was his "home tutor". Because of his mother's good education methods, he developed a strong interest in reading. "He not only read a lot of books, but he also read ten lines at a glance and could recite them after reading them." When he was 8 years old, he read the works of William Shakespeare, the most important playwright of the English Renaissance, Dickens, and many important historical books. By the age of 9, he could quickly read more difficult books, such as Parker's " Natural and Experimental Philosophy. I loved chemistry when I was 10 years old. At the age of 11, he experimented with his first telegraph. To earn money to buy chemicals and equipment, he started working. When he was 12 years old, he got a job selling newspapers on the train, traveling between Port Huron and Detroit, Michigan. While selling newspapers, he also runs a fruit and vegetable business. Whenever he has time, he goes to the library to read. He bought an old printing press and started publishing his own weekly magazine, the Herald. The first issue of the magazine was printed on the train. He used the money he earned to build a chemistry laboratory on a luggage cart. Unfortunately there was a chemical fire and he was thrown out of the car along with his equipment. Another time, when Edison was trying to board a freight train, a conductor grabbed his ears to help him get on. This action resulted in Edison becoming permanently deaf.

In August 1862, Edison used fearless heroism to rescue a boy who was about to be killed on the train tracks. The child's father was grateful for this, but since he had no money to repay him, he was willing to teach him telegraph skills. From then on, Edison became involved with this mysterious new world of electricity and embarked on a scientific journey.

In 1863, Edison served as a telegraph operator at the Stratford Junction Station of the Grand Trunk Railway. From 1864 to 1867, he worked as a telegraph operator throughout the Midwest and lived a wandering life. Travel destinations include Stratford, Adrian, Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Nashville, Tennessee, Memphis, Louisville, Huron and other places.

In 1868, Edison came to Boston as a telegraph operator. In the same year, he obtained his first invention patent. This is a device that automatically records votes.

Edison thought the device would speed up the work of Congress and that it would be welcomed. However, one MP told him that they had no intention of speeding up the agenda and that sometimes voting slowly was politically necessary. From then on, Edison decided not to make any inventions that people didn't need.

In early June 1869, he came to New York to look for work. While he was waiting to be summoned at a broker's office, a telegraph machine broke down. Edison was the only one there who could fix the telegraph, and he got a better job than he expected. In October, he and Pope jointly established a "Pop-Edison Company" to specialize in scientific instruments for electrical engineering. Here, he invented the "Edison printing press." He dedicated the printing press to the manager of a large Wall Street company. He wanted to ask for $5,000, but he lacked the courage to say it. So he asked the manager to give him a price, and the manager gave him $40,000.

Edison used the money to build a factory on Ward Street in Newark, New Jersey, specializing in manufacturing various electrical machinery. He worked all night long. He trained many capable assistants, and at the same time, he also happened to meet the diligent Mary (Mary Stilwell), his future first bride. In Newark, he made inventions such as wax paper and mimeograph machines. From 1872 to 1875, Edison invented the double and quadruple telegraph machines, and helped others build the world's first English typewriter.

In the spring of 1876, Edison moved again, this time to "Menlo Park" in New Jersey. Here he built the first "invention factory", which "marked the beginning of collective research." In 1877, Edison improved the telephone invented by Bell earlier and put it into practical use. He also invented one of his pet projects - the phonograph. The telephone and telegraph "were a revolution that expanded human sensory functions"; the phonograph was one of the three great inventions that changed people's lives. "From the perspective of his inventive imagination, this was his most significant inventive achievement." By this time, he was known as "The Magician of Menlo Park."

While inventing the phonograph, Edison finally made a breakthrough in the research on electric lights after numerous failures. On October 22, 1879, Edison ignited the first electric light with widespread practical value. In order to extend the life of the filament, he tried again and tried more than 6,000 fiber materials before he found a new luminous body - Japanese bamboo filament, which can last for more than 1,000 hours, achieving the purpose of durability. In a way, this invention was the pinnacle achievement of Edison's life. He then created a power supply system that allowed distant lamps to distribute power from a central power station, a major technological achievement.

His first purely scientific discovery appeared in 1883. While experimenting with electric lamps, he observed what he called the Edison effect: a charge within a lit bulb traveling from a hot filament through space to a cold plate. Edison patented his discovery in 1884 but did not pursue further research. Other scientists used the Edison effect to develop the electronics industry, especially radio and television.

Edison also attempted to do for the eyes what the phonograph had done for the ears, and this is where the movie camera came into being. Using a strip of George Eastman's newly invented celluloid film, he took a series of photographs and projected them onto a screen in rapid succession, creating the illusion of movement. He first experimented with film in the laboratory in 1889 and applied for a patent in 1891. In 1903, his company produced its first feature film, "The Train Robbery." Edison did much to organize and standardize the motion picture industry.

After Edison moved his laboratory to West Orange in 1887, he founded many commercial companies to manufacture and market his many inventions; these companies later merged into Edison General Electric Company, later known as General Electric Company. Thereafter, his interests turned to fluoroscopy, ore crushers, magnetic separation of iron, batteries and railway signaling devices.

During World War I, he developed torpedo mechanisms, flamethrowers and underwater periscopes.

On October 21, 1929, on the 50th anniversary of the invention of the electric light, people held a grand celebration for Edison. Albert Einstein of the German Federal Republic and France* Famous scientists such as Marie Curie of Japan and China congratulated him one after another. Unfortunately, at this celebration, when Edison was giving a speech, he suddenly fainted due to excessive excitement. From then on, his health deteriorated. On October 18, 1931, this scientist who had made great contributions to mankind died of illness at the age of 84.

Edison’s education level is extremely low, but his contribution to mankind is so huge. What is the “secret” here? In addition to having a curious heart and an instinct for personal experimentation, he also has infinite energy and determination to work hard that are beyond ordinary people. When someone called Edison a "genius", he explained: "Genius is two percent inspiration and ninety-eight percent perspiration." In his "invention factory", he organized people from many different professions There are more than 100 scientists, engineers, technicians, and workers inside. Many of Edison's major inventions relied on the strength of this collective to achieve success. His achievements are mainly due to his hard work, creative talent and collective strength. In addition, his wife also played a very important role.

Edison Story

Thomas Alva Edison was a world-famous American electrician and inventor. In addition to his inventions and contributions in phonographs, electric lights, telephones, telegraphs, movies, etc. In addition, there are also many famous creations and insights in mining, construction, chemical industry and other fields. Edison made about 2,000 inventions throughout his life, making great contributions to human civilization and progress.

Edison was born on February 11, 1847, in the small town of Milan, Ohio, in the midwestern United States. His father is of Dutch descent, and his mother worked as a primary school teacher and is of Scottish descent. When Edison was 7 years old, his father lost money in the roofing business, so the family moved to Fort Gratiot in the northern suburbs of Huron, Michigan. Shortly after moving here, Edison contracted scarlet fever and remained ill for a long time. The disease was believed to be the cause of his deafness. Edison went to school at the age of 8, but after only three months of studying, he was dismissed by the teacher as an "imbecile" and kicked out of school. From then on, his mother was his "home tutor". Because of his mother's good education methods, he developed a strong interest in reading. "He not only read a lot of books, but he also read ten lines at a glance and could recite them after reading them." When he was 8 years old, he read the works of Shakespeare and Dickens, the most important playwrights of the English Renaissance, and many important historical books. By the age of 9, he could quickly read more difficult books, such as Parker's "Nature and Nature". Experimental Philosophy. I loved chemistry when I was 10 years old. At the age of 11, he experimented with his first telegraph. To earn money to buy chemicals and equipment, he started working. When he was 12 years old, he got a job selling newspapers on a train, traveling between Port Huron and Detroit, Michigan. While selling newspapers, he also runs a fruit and vegetable business. Whenever he has time, he goes to the library to read. He bought an old printing press and started publishing his own weekly magazine, the Herald. The first issue of the magazine was printed on the train. He used the money he earned to build a chemistry laboratory on a luggage cart. Unfortunately there was a chemical fire and he was thrown out of the car along with his equipment. Another time, when Edison was trying to board a freight train, a conductor grabbed his ears to help him get on. This action resulted in Edison becoming permanently deaf.

In August 1862, Edison used fearless heroism to rescue a boy who was about to be killed on the train tracks. The child's father was grateful for this, but since he had no money to repay him, he was willing to teach him telegraph skills. From then on, Edison became involved with this mysterious new world of electricity and embarked on a scientific journey.

In 1863, Edison served as a telegraph operator at the Stratford Junction Station of the Grand Trunk Railway.

From 1864 to 1867, he worked as a telegraph operator throughout the Midwest and lived a wandering life. His footprints include Stratford, Adrian, Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Nashville, Tennessee, Memphis, Louisville, Huron and other places.

In 1868, Edison came to Boston as a telegraph operator. In the same year, he obtained his first invention patent. This is a device that automatically records votes. Edison thought the device would speed up the work of Congress and that it would be welcomed. However, one MP told him that they had no intention of speeding up the agenda and that sometimes voting slowly was politically necessary. From then on, Edison decided not to make any inventions that people didn't need.

In early June 1869, he came to New York to look for work. While he was waiting to be summoned at a broker's office, a telegraph machine broke down. Edison was the only one there who could fix the telegraph, and he got a better job than he expected. In October, he and Pope jointly established a "Pop-Edison Company" to specialize in scientific instruments for electrical engineering. Here, he invented the "Edison Printing Press." He dedicated the printing press to the manager of a large Wall Street company. He wanted to ask for $5,000, but he lacked the courage to say it. So he asked the manager to give him a price, and the manager gave him $40,000.

Edison used the money to build a factory on Ward Street in Newark, New Jersey, specializing in manufacturing various electrical machinery. He worked all night long. He trained many capable assistants, and at the same time, he also happened to meet the diligent Mary, his future first bride. In Newark, he made inventions such as wax paper and mimeograph machines. From 1872 to 1875, Edison invented the double and quadruple telegraph machines, and helped others build the world's first English typewriter.

In the spring of 1876, Edison moved again, this time to "Menlo Park" in New Jersey. Here he built the first "invention factory", which "marked the beginning of collective research." In 1877, Edison improved upon Bell's earlier telephone and put it into practical use. He also invented one of his pet projects - the phonograph. The telephone and the telegraph "were a revolution that expanded human sensory functions"; the phonograph was one of the three great inventions that changed people's lives. "From the perspective of his inventive imagination, this was his most significant inventive achievement." By this time, he was known as "The Magician of Menlo Park."

While inventing the phonograph, Edison finally made a breakthrough in the research on electric lights after numerous failures. On October 22, 1879, Edison ignited the first electric light with widespread practical value. In order to extend the life of the filament, he tried again and tried more than 6,000 fiber materials before he found a new luminous body - Japanese bamboo filament, which can last for more than 1,000 hours, achieving the purpose of durability. In a way, this invention was the pinnacle achievement of Edison's life. He then created a power supply system that allowed distant lamps to distribute power from a central power station, a major technological achievement.

His first purely scientific discovery appeared in 1883. While experimenting with electric lamps, he observed what he called the Edison effect: a charge inside a lit bulb traveling from a hot filament through space to a cold plate. Edison patented his discovery in 1884 but did not pursue further research. Other scientists used the Edison effect to develop the electronics industry, especially radio and television.

Edison also attempted to do for the eyes what the phonograph had done for the ears, and the movie camera was born here. Using a strip of George Eastman's newly invented celluloid film, he took a series of photographs and projected them onto a screen in rapid succession, creating the illusion of movement. He first experimented with film in the laboratory in 1889 and applied for a patent in 1891. In 1903, his company produced its first feature film, "The Train Robbery." Edison did much to organize and standardize the motion picture industry.

After Edison moved his laboratory to West Orange in 1887, he founded many commercial companies to manufacture and market his many inventions; these companies later merged into Edison General Electric Company, later known as General Electric Company. Thereafter, his interests turned to fluoroscopy, ore crushers, magnetic separation of iron, batteries and railway signaling devices. During World War I, he developed torpedo mechanisms, flamethrowers, and underwater periscopes.

On October 21, 1929, on the 50th anniversary of the invention of the electric light, people held a grand celebration for Edison. Famous scientists such as Einstein of Germany and Marie Curie of France congratulated him. . Unfortunately, at this celebration, when Edison was giving a speech, he suddenly fainted due to excessive excitement. From then on, his health deteriorated. On October 18, 1931, this scientist who had made great contributions to mankind died of illness at the age of 84.

Edison’s education level was extremely low, but his contribution to mankind was so huge. What is the “secret” here? In addition to having a curious heart and an instinct for personal experimentation, he also has infinite energy and determination to work hard that are beyond ordinary people. When someone called Edison a "genius", he explained: "Genius is two percent inspiration and ninety-eight percent perspiration." In his "invention factory", he organized people from many different professions There are more than 100 scientists, engineers, technicians, and workers inside. Many of Edison's major inventions relied on the strength of this collective to achieve success. His achievements are mainly due to his hard work, creative talent and collective strength. In addition, his wife also played a very important role.

Edison's famous sayings

※Imagination leads to ideas, and knowledge realizes ideas. Reading is to wisdom what gymnastics is to body. I will never lose heart when encountering difficulties... The three conditions for success are diligence, hard work and trying. ——Thomas Alva Edison

※To succeed, you must first set a goal, and then concentrate on moving towards the goal. I can't give up work for a day because everything I do makes me happy.

※Almost all people lose their perseverance to continue creating when their ideas reach their limits. In fact, this is the real beginning. Those who are not determined to cultivate thinking will lose the greatest joy in life.

※If you can do everything you can, the results will be very surprising. Many experiments have been done, and it would be great if only one experiment succeeds. The obvious sign of a great man is his strong will.

※No matter what you do, you will either make a brilliant achievement or fail brilliantly. You must dare to do it to make progress. Our electric light system is neither utopian nor reckless.

※ Failure is also what I need. It is as valuable to me as success. Only after I know all the ways to do a job poorly can I know the way to do a job well. Constantly search for the secrets of nature and use it to benefit mankind; and everything should move towards the bright side.

※Activity and dissatisfaction are the first necessities for progress. What we often cannot see through can eventually be accomplished.

※Every difficulty has a solution. I attach great importance to the experience gained through struggle. A person must first go through difficulties and then step into good times before he will feel useful and comfortable.

※Since I am looking for what the world needs, I keep looking for it and try to create it. I only want to succeed in one thing and rarely think about how to make money from it.

※Remitting struggle If people can leave their fanatical spirit to their descendants when they are dying, they will leave a priceless treasure. Life is too short, and there are so many things to do. How can we not make progress at the same time?

※Success is: 2% inspiration given by God, plus 98% of your own sweat. If a person's career cannot fully speak for him, it is best for him to remain silent.

Most people talk too much. If only those who really have something to say speak, their speaking will decrease and their power will increase.

Chronology of Edison's inventions:

On October 11, 1868, he invented the "voting counter" and obtained his first patent.

In October 1869, he co-founded the "Pop-Edison Company" with friends.

Invented the general-purpose printing press in 1870 and sold the patent rights for US$40,000. Set up its own manufacturing plant in New York.

From 1872 to 1876, he invented the electric telegraph, the automatic repeater telegraph method, the double and quadruple telegraph methods, and manufactured wax paper carbon resistors.

The acoustic wave analysis resonator was invented in 1875.

In 1876, a laboratory was established in Menlo Park, New Jersey - the first industrial research laboratory. It was the origin of the modern concept of a "study group." Invented the carbon rod microphone. Apply for a patent for the telegraph automatic recording machine.

In 1877, the early telephone invented by Bell was improved and put into practical use in Menlo Park. Obtained three patents: perforated pen, pneumatic stylus and ordinary stylus. On August 20th, what proved to be one of Edison's favorite projects - the phonograph - was invented.

In 1878, Edison claimed to solve the problem of electric lighting. The Royal Society holds a gramophone exhibition. Improved phonographs, designed microphones, amplifiers, aerial speakers, sound engines, tuning engines, microthermometers, taste testers, etc. Obtained patent for phonograph on February 19th. In July, he went to Wyoming with Professor Parker of the University of Pennsylvania to observe the total solar eclipse, and used the thermometer he invented to measure the overall temperature around the sun. Returned to Menlo Park in August and returned to scientific research and experiments. Britain approves Edison's patent application for "Video Recorder". William Wallace visited Connecticut in September. Started research into inventing the electric light. On October 5, a patent application for a platinum wire "electric lamp" was filed.

In 1879-1880, after thousands of setbacks, the high-resistance incandescent lamp was invented. Improved generator. Design new current distribution methods, circuit alignment and calculation methods. Invented the light bulb holder and switch. Invented the magnetic mineral separation method.

On August 30, 1879, Edison and Bell each demonstrated telephone devices at Saratoga Creek City Hall. Edison's phone turned out to be clearer than Bell's. On October 21, the high-resistance incandescent lamp was invented, which burned continuously for 40 hours. Application for carbon filament lamp patent on November 1st. On December 21, the New York Express reported on Edison's incandescent light bulb. A public light show was held in Menlo Park on December 25 for 3,000 visitors from New York City.

Helicopter research in 1880. Obtained patent rights for electric light invention. Made into a magnetic screener. On January 28, the patent document for "Electric Power Transmission and Distribution System" was submitted. On February 18, "Scribe's Monthly" published the article "Edison's Electric Light", officially announcing the invention of the electric light. In May, the first ship "Columbia" illuminated by electric lights successfully made its trial voyage.

New York Edison Electric Lighting Company was established in December.

1881 New York Fifth Avenue headquarters established. An incandescent lamp factory is established in New York City. Set up manufacturing plants for generators, underground wires, and electric light parts. Experimenting with trolleys in Menlo Park.

The three-wire current distribution system was invented in 1882. Applied for 141 patents. The first central factory was established on September 4. At the end of December, more than 150 small power stations were established across the United States of America.

A patent for wireless telegraphy was filed on May 23, 1885.

From 1887 to 1890, he improved the cylindrical phonograph and obtained more than 80 patent rights for phonographs. Engaged in manufacturing and selling phonographs, records, talking machines, etc.

The phonograph gramophone was invented in 1888.

Participated in the Centennial Exposition in Paris in 1889. Invented many types of electric railways. Complete the moving movie machine.

1890-1899 Designed large stone crushers and grinders. Personally directed the large-scale development of iron ore using new methods at the Ogden Mine.

In 1891, he invented the "Edison Concentrator" and began to operate his own mining business.

Obtained the patent for "Kinet Cinema Projector". The first successful movable motion picture telescope was demonstrated to the public on May 20 at the Edison Laboratory in West Orange, New Jersey.

In 1893, the world's first movie "studio" was built in the courtyard of Edison's laboratory.

On April 14, 1894, the first kinetoscope theater was opened in New York.

On April 23, 1896, the "Vita Projector" was used for the first time to show a film at Coster-Beyer's Music Hall in New York, and it was warmly welcomed by the public.

In 1902, a test using a new type of battery for vehicle power was successful. The range was 5,000 miles and it could travel 100 miles per charge.

In 1903, Edison's company produced its first feature film, "Train Robbery."

In 1909, after ten years of research, the battery was finally successful. Make a fax telegram. Obtained design patents for raw material machine, fine grinding machine and long kiln.

From 1910 to 1914, the disc-type phonograph was completed, with damage-free records and diamond records. Completed talkie machine.

The "disk record" was invented in 1910.

The "talkie" was invented in 1912. Developed into a speech phonograph.

In 1914-1915, the comprehensive manufacturing method of carbolic acid was invented, and a phonograph and a telegraph machine were combined into a remote writing machine. One party's telephone could automatically record the other party's speech. Manufacture benzene, indigo oil, etc. by ourselves.

39 inventions were completed from 1915 to 1918, the most famous of which are torpedo mechanical devices, flamethrowers and underwater periscopes.

Completed long-term recording in 1927.

In 1928, rubber was successfully extracted from wild grasses.

Someone has made statistics: Edison’s inventions in his lifetime were officially registered in the patent office, with about 1,300 inventions. 1881 was his record year for inventions. This year, he applied for registration of 141 inventions, with an average of one new invention every three days.

The life of the great inventor Edison tells us: great achievements come from arduous labor.

Edison will not be forgotten as time goes by. His life is glorious, and everything he does is for mankind. Edison was determined to make electric lights when he was a child, and he used his wisdom to save his mother. , it was still during the surgery.

The English version was not found