The Dail y Sparkle The Reminiscence and Activities Newspaper
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TM
Wed 17th October 2012
ON THIS DAY
THE WAY WE WERE
On 17th October 1898, Thomas Edison, an American inventor, filed a patent for an ‘Optical Phonograph’. It was the world’s first ever movie camera, although that name came much later. Edison was the fourth most prolific inventor in history. He held over a thousand patents for numerous inventions including the light bulb, sound recording equipment and batteries.
Years ago, before I had children of my own there were no toys in the house. If we had visitors with small children, they seemed perfectly happy playing with all sorts of household items. Clothes pegs were good, and a wooden spoon to bang on a cake tin was popular. (Though maybe not with the parents).
Edison was regarded, rightly, as a genius, but he said “Genius is one per cent inspiration, ninety nine per cent perspiration”.
Best of all were those old wooden cotton reels, and a long shoe lace to thread them on. It was a snake, or a necklace or something to rattle. It took quite a lot of concentration for little ones to do it, but very satisfying.
Copyright © 2012, Everyday Miracles Ltd. All rights reserved. www.dailysparkle.co.uk • 17 October 2012 • Page 1