10 fun and interesting Thomas Alva Edison facts

1. Edison: Short Education, Brilliant Inventor

Thomas Alva Edison was a renowned inventor, but his educational experience was quite brief. After attending school for only three months, he was deeply hurt when he overheard his teacher refer to him as a "rotten egg". This insult was the catalyst for Edison to leave school and pursue his own education, which ultimately led to his incredible success.

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2. Inventor with Hearing Impairment

Thomas Alva Edison, the renowned inventor, often attributed his hearing impairment to a traumatic incident involving a train and its conductor, rather than his childhood illnesses of untreated ear infections and scarlet fever. According to Edison, the incident occurred when he was a young boy, and it left him with a permanent hearing impairment that he carried with him throughout his life.

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3. Two Marriages, Three Children

Thomas Alva Edison, the renowned inventor and businessman, was married twice in his lifetime. His first marriage was to Mary Stilwell, with whom he had three children: Marion, Thomas Jr., and William. His second marriage was to Mina Miller, and together they had three children: Madeleine, Charles, and Theodore. Edison's inventions and business ventures have had a lasting impact on the world, and his legacy lives on through his six children.

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4. Edison Invented the Phonograph: The Wizard of Menlo Park

Thomas Alva Edison was a revolutionary inventor, and his invention of the phonograph was nothing short of magical to the public. His incredible feat of engineering earned him the nickname of "The Wizard of Menlo Park", and his invention of the phonograph was a major breakthrough in the history of sound recording. The phonograph was the first device to be able to record and reproduce sound, and it was a major step forward in the development of modern audio technology. Edison's invention of the phonograph was a major milestone in the history of sound recording, and it is still used today in many forms.

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5. Thomas Alva Edison Proposes Idea For Interest-Free Currency

In 1922, Thomas Alva Edison proposed an amendment to the Federal Reserve Banking System that would have allowed for the issuance of interest-free currency. Unfortunately, the proposal was unsuccessful and failed to gain traction. Edison's idea was ahead of its time, as it would have allowed for the circulation of money without the burden of interest payments, something that would have been revolutionary for the economy of the time.

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6. The Henry Ford Museum Holds Thomas Alva Edison's Last Breath

The Henry Ford Museum is home to a unique and poignant artifact - a test tube containing the last breath of Thomas Alva Edison, one of the world's most renowned inventors. The tube of air was sealed in the room shortly after his death in 1931, providing a tangible reminder of the man who revolutionized the world with his inventions.

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7. Edison Jokes About Creating a Phone to Communicate with the Dead

In 1920, Thomas Alva Edison, the renowned inventor of the light bulb and phonograph, made a startling claim to a magazine: he was designing a phone to communicate with the dead. However, Edison later admitted that this was merely a joke, and that he had no intention of actually creating such a device. Despite this, the idea of a phone to communicate with the dead has become a popular concept in popular culture, and Edison's joke has been immortalized in the annals of history.

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8. Inventor Thomas Alva Edison honored with awards

Thomas Alva Edison, the renowned inventor and businessman, has been honored with numerous awards, including induction into the New Jersey Hall of Fame and the Entrepreneur Walk of Fame. This recognition is a testament to Edison's immense contributions to the world of business and innovation, which have had a lasting impact on society. His inventions, such as the light bulb, phonograph, and motion picture camera, have revolutionized the way we live and work. His legacy continues to inspire generations of entrepreneurs and innovators.

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9. A stickler for a balanced diet

Thomas Alva Edison was a man of routine when it came to his diet. His second wife, in an interview in 1930, revealed that Edison was a stickler for eating correctly, having breakfast, lunch and dinner every day. She noted that he was very particular about what he ate, and that he was always conscious of his health and well-being. Edison was a firm believer in the importance of a balanced diet, and he was sure to stick to it every day.

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10. Thomas Alva Edison Loved "The Birth of a Nation"

Thomas Alva Edison was a great admirer of the 1915 silent film "The Birth of a Nation", which he considered to be his favorite movie. He was also a fan of the two leading stars of the movie, Mary Pickford and Clara Bow, who he often praised for their performances. Edison was so impressed with the movie that he even wrote a letter to the director, D.W. Griffith, to express his admiration.