Thomas Edison’s bright ideasThe life and times of an inventor and businessman

Peter Loader @ TLT

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An important Thursday

He noticed that Tom's forehead was unusually wide and his head was bigger than normal. He made no secret of his belief that Tom’s brains were scrambled!

Thomas Edison was born on Thursday February the 11th, 1847 in the town of Milan, America.When Thomas was seven his teacher finally lost his patience with his constant questions.

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Peter Loader @ TLT

What do you do when you get home from school?

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Peter Loader @ TLT

Edison’s first important invention was the phonograph. A machine that could record and reproduce sound.

But his greatest success was the development of the electric light.

So when you turn on the light and listen to music think of Thomas Edison.

I turn the lights on and play Eminem!

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Peter Loader @ TLT

Money and fame

As electricity spread around the world. The success of his electric light brought Thomas Edison to new heights of fame and wealth.

Edison's electric companies continued to grow until in 1889 they were brought together to form Edison General Electric.

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Peter Loader @ TLT

Home sweet home

In 1884, during this period of success, Tom's wife Mary died. A year later, while on holiday at a friends house in New England, he met Mina Miller and they fell in love.

The couple married in February 1886

Peter Loader @ TLT

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Peter Loader @ TLT

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The first movie starWhile working on the phonograph, Thomas began working on a device that, "does for the eye what the phonograph does for the ear", this was to become motion pictures. Thomas first demonstrated motion pictures in 1891, and began making "movies" two years later.

“It is very beautiful over there.”

Thomas Edison died on Sunday October the 18th, 1931. He was 84 years old.

Shortly before passing away, he awoke from a coma and quietly whispered wife Mina, who had been keeping a vigil all night by his side:  "It is very beautiful over there...“

Peter Loader @ TLT

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Was Thomas Edison a genius?

This is what he had to say about it…..

"Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration. A 'genius' is often simply a talented person who has done all of his or her homework.“

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Peter Loader @ TLT

Peter Loader @ TLT

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Thomas Alva Edison

1847 - 1931