Intriguing details about Thomas Edison

Thomas Alva Edison, one of the renowned and genius scientists of the world, who patented a really large number of inventions on his name. He is famous for many reasons. But most of the time, he is cited for his contribution to some specific issues like the electric bulb, telegraphy, phonography etc. His personal life is not that much known to people. Here are some interesting facts about this brilliant scientist that will enrich the knowledge level of the readers.




[Image Credit: thinkvirtues.com]

Learned Talking Late: 

Surprisingly, Thomas Edison did not learn to talk until he turned four years old.

Limited Schooling: 

Unluckily, Edison did not get the schooling like the other kids of his time. He was slower than the other kids and the school teacher thought that he would not be able to be like the other boys. Hence, they rejected him from schooling.

Phonograph Invention: 

Edison invented phonograph. There was a solid reason for his invention. He wanted to record the last wishes and words of the people who were dying. It was one of his successful inventions.

Own Fireworks: 

When people used to buy fireworks to celebrate different occasions, Thomas Edison used made fireworks for himself. He did not believe that the other fireworks will be able to make so much louder noise as like his. In reality, the fireworks he made were louder indeed. He used to crack the fireworks during the holidays, particularly on 4th July.

Supported Solar Energy: 

Edison had the idea that natural resources will dry out someday. So, he turned into the supporter of solar energy. He believed that the huge source of power- the sun, will never run out. Based on his idea he used to rely on this greatest source of power.

Practical Jokes: 

Thomas Edison was a practical joker. He used to make a joke with people. But if someone tried to take revenge on him, he would punish them with a more serious joke that they could not tolerate. In most of the times, he used to reply with good practical jokes to people who made the joke with him.

Shakespear’s Fan: 

Thomas Edison was very fond of Shakespeare’s plays and wanted to be an actor. However, due to his high-pitched voice and his extreme shyness, he soon abandoned the idea of becoming an actor.

Proposed by Tapping: 

Edison proposed his second wife with tapping on her palm. In fact, he was so fascinated with the Morse code that he wanted to involve it in some of his real-life things in an exceptional way. Before proposing to his second wife, he taught her the way of communicating in tapping. The lady tapped back ‘Yes’.

Dot and Dash: 

The sounds are familiar in terms of a telegraph. But Edison nicknamed his children as Dot and Dash. He did it to remember the days when he was involved with the telegraph.

Movie Pirate: 

It is said that Edison was a movie pirate. His copy of the movie “A Trip to the Moon” made the movie maker almost bankrupt. Besides, the movie industry that started the journey in his locality later shifted the place because of his patents covering all the movie making materials.

Ghost Hunter: 

Edison tried to show his merit in almost all the sectors of the science. But he also did some mysterious things. He tried to invent equipment that will hunt ghosts. How successful he was with the project is not confirmed yet but one of his assistants died while testing the device.

A deaf Scientist: 

Thomas Edison was deaf from an early age. And it is believed that his deafness became the largest blessing in his life.

Developed Electric Chair: 

Edison developed the use of an electric chair for execution. Initially, he killed animals using electricity on the chair. But his sole intention was to show that alternating current was more harmful than the direct current.

1093 Patents: 

Edison devoted his entire life to the improvement of science. He lived for 84 years and throughout this time, he gained 1093 patents under his name. And importantly, most of his patents are used in our day to day life.

Basement Laboratory: 

Edison made the first laboratory of his life in the basement of the house he lived in with his parents. He used to do different types of experiments in the laboratory. He bought chemicals and other necessary tools and equipment to run his researches. He was only 10 years old when he made the laboratory.

Struggling Scientist: 

Success did not come to Edison early. He had to struggle a lot to make things a success. His very first patent was a flop. But he did not give up and continued inventing. Finally, he became successful after lots of attempts.

Use of Concrete: 

Edison is the first scientist who used concrete to build various types of things like house, bathtubs, staircase, picture frame, furniture, piano etc. Initially, the idea appeared peculiar to everyone and once the idea passed the crucial stages, it became popular.


Thomas Edison was a born genius. He passed his early age amid struggle. He lost his hearing ability in an accident and sacrificed his entire life in the contribution of physics and other branches of modern science. Now he has become a very respected figure to the global people.

Famous Thomas Edison Quotes:

1. I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.

2. Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.

3. Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.

4. Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.

5. There’s a way to do it better. Find it.