Thomas Alva Edison: Inventing the Electric Age
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Author Description
Thomas Alva Edison revolutionized daily life as few people before or after him have done. The light bulb, the phonograph, the motion picture--through these and countless other technological marvels Edison left his mark on the modern world.Although he had little formal education, Edison showed a remarkable talent for practical science by the time he became a teenager. He was in his early twenties when he launched his inventing career in Boston (and later in New York City). In 1867, he established the world's first industrial research laboratory in Menlo Park, N.J., and within six years, he and his assistants had developed a light-and-power system that amazed the world.Edison's inventions made him a millionaire, but money was always far less important to him than inventing itself. Even in his eighties, Edison stayed busy as he searched for a domestic source for rubber. When he died in 1931, the nation dimmed its lights in tribute.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This biography investigates how Thomas Alva Edison’s unique approach to industrial research and practical application fundamentally shaped the technological landscape of the modern era. Gene Adair examines the life of the prolific inventor, tracing his trajectory from a self-taught teenager to the architect of the Menlo Park laboratory. The text utilizes historical records and biographical data to argue that Edison’s relentless focus on experimentation, rather than formal education, served as the primary catalyst for his success. By analyzing his major contributions, the author illustrates the transition of society into the electric age.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- A detailed account of the establishment and operation of the Menlo Park industrial research laboratory.
- An analysis of key inventions including the phonograph, motion picture camera, and the light-and-power system.
- Biographical evidence regarding Edison’s early life, lack of formal schooling, and his transition to professional inventing in Boston and New York.
- An exploration of Edison’s late-career research into domestic rubber sources.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
This work is widely regarded as an accessible introduction to the life of Edison, suitable for students and general readers interested in the history of technology. Experts note that the text provides a clear, chronological overview of his professional milestones without becoming overly bogged down in technical jargon.
Page Count:
144
Publication Date:
1997-11-27
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0195119819
ISBN-13:
9780195119817
Biography
Science
History
Technology
Invention
Inventors
