Thomas Edison
Nico V. Willow Room June 2013
Introduction Famous Quotation: "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work."
Best known for: making the first electric light bulb.
What I find interesting: about Thomas Edison is how he made all his amazing inventions.
3 Key Qualities: 1. Persevered 2. Took Action 3. Learned From Mistakes
I chose this person because... he was a great inventor.
Overcame a Hardship/Challenge I read that he was taken out of school because he asked too many questions. He only got to go to school for 3 months in his life! After that he got taught at home. I think that was mean of the teachers because he was being curious and was taken out of school for being curious. Even though he left school, he continued learning and his parents encouraged him to ask questions.
Showed Compassion and Empathy I read that in 1862 at the Mount Clemens Station he saw a little boy standing on a train- track with a boxcar coming straight at him. Thomas dropped his things, ran and saved the child.
I think that was very risky because he could have gotten run over.
Took Action Thomas Edison made the following inventions: in 1868 the Electric Vote Recorder, in1869 the Universal Stock Ticker (tracked stock market), in 1879 the Electric Light Bulb, in 1891 the Motion Picture Camera, in 1896 the Fluorescent Electric Light, in 1900 the Alkaline Battery, in 1914 the Electric Miner's Head Lamp and much more including the Phonograph.
I think he took action by making the inventions. I think he helped many people that needed the inventions.
Persevered I read that when he was trying to make the light bulb and he tried 1,500 materials but nothing worked. Finally he found a material for the filament that worked!
I think that was persevering because he tried so many ways and never gave up.
Impact: How Things are Different Today I read that in 1877 he invented the Phonograph which recorded sound on tinfoil-coated cylinders. This was his favorite invention.
I think that that was making a difference because before that you couldn't record sound.
Viewed Problems as Opportunities I read that before 1879 people had to use oil lamps, but in 1879 Thomas Edison invented the first electric light bulb.
I think the problem is that people didn't have a good source of light and Thomas thought about it as an opportunity.
Demonstrated Bravery I read that he was looking for a job but at night he slept in the basement of a factory when he moved to New York City with only $1 when he was 22.
I think that was brave because he moved to a new place with no money and tried to get a job.
Learned from Mistakes Thomas Edison made many chemicals that were used during World War 1 in 1917. It took him many months to do it. I think he learned from mistakes when it took him months to get the idea of how to make the chemicals. Every time he made a formula that didn't work he learned that that formula didn't work so he had to try a different formula.
Communicated and Shared Thomas Edison communicated with the press when he was telling the press that his goal was to make the light bulb work in six weeks. He did this in October 1878.
I think that was communicating because he was telling the press to tell the world about his goal
Thomas Edison Persevered when: making the light bulb because he tried 1,500 different materials.
Showed compassion when: saving a little boy with a boxcar coming straight at him.
Took action by: making all his inventions because he wanted people to have a better life.
Made a difference when: he invented the phonograph because he wanted people to be able to record sound.
Author Talk I’m similar to my Change Maker because I am curious.
My Change Maker is connected to Henry Ford and the Wright Brothers because they are both inventors.
I’m a Change Maker when I invent mini things.
Bibliography Thomas Edison Packet
A Picture Book of Thomas Alva Edison
Time for Kids Thomas Edison: A brilliant Inventor
Thomas Edison: Reading A-Z
Glossary A Change Maker is: someone who changes the world or a small part of the world.
Phonograph: an invention that records sound on tinfoil-coated cylinders.
Boxcar: a train car that looks like a box.
Formula: a mix of ingredients.