Thomas Alva Edison (1847- 193 1) is a world-famous electrician and inventor in the United States. In addition to his inventions and contributions in phonograph, electric light, telephone, telegraph and film, he also has many famous creations and opinions in mining, construction and chemical industry. Edison had about 2,000 inventions in his life, which made great contributions to the progress of human civilization.

Edison was also a great entrepreneur. He founded Edison General Electric Company on 1890, and its two main businesses formed the famous General Electric Company (GE).

all one's life

Edison was born in Milan, Ohio in the midwest of the United States. My father is descended from Dutch, and my mother is a primary school teacher, descended from Scots. When Edison was 7 years old, his father lost money in the tile business, so his family moved to Otterborg, a suburb north of Huron, Michigan. Shortly after moving here, Edison suffered from scarlet fever and was ill for a long time. It is believed that this disease is the cause of his deafness. Edison went to school at the age of 8, but after only three months of study, he was dismissed as an "imbecile" by the teacher and kicked out of school. Since then, his mother has been his "mentor". Because of his mother's good educational methods, he took a keen interest in reading. He not only reads widely, but also reads all kinds of books. At the age of eight, he read the works of william shakespeare and Dickens, the most important playwrights in the English Renaissance, and many important historical books. By the age of nine, he could quickly read difficult books, such as Parker's philosophy of nature and experiment. 10 years old, he loved chemistry. At the age of 1 1, he experimented with his first telegram. In order to make money to buy chemicals and equipment, he began to work. /kloc-when he was 0/2 years old, he found a job selling newspapers on the train and traveled between Port Huron and Detroit, Michigan. While selling newspapers, he also deals in fruits and vegetables. Whenever he is free, he goes to the library to read books. He bought an old printing press and began to publish his own weekly newspaper, The Herald. The first issue of this weekly is printed on the train. With the money he earned, he set up a chemistry laboratory on the baggage car. Unfortunately, once a chemical caught fire, he and his equipment were thrown out of the car. Another time, when Edison tried to board a freight train, a conductor grabbed him by the ear and helped him get on the train. This action led to Edison's lifelong deafness.

1862 In August, Edison rescued a dying boy on the train track with fearless heroism. The child's father is grateful for this, but he is willing to teach him telegraph technology because he has no money to reward him. Since then, Edison has forged an indissoluble bond with this mysterious new electric world and embarked on a scientific journey.

1863, Edison worked as a telecom operator in Stratford Hub Station, the main railway line. From 1864 to 1867, I worked as a telegraph operator in all parts of the central and western regions and lived a life similar to wandering. Footprints include Stratford, Adrian, fort wayne, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Nashville, Tennessee, Memphis, Louisville and Huron.

1868, Edison came to Boston as a telegraph operator. In the same year, he obtained the first invention patent. This is a device for automatically recording votes. Edison thought that this device could speed up the work of Congress and would be very popular. However, a member of Congress told him that they had no intention to speed up the agenda, and sometimes voting was slow because of political needs. From then on, Edison decided never to make any inventions that people didn't need.

At the beginning of June 1869, he came to new york to look for a job. While he was waiting for a summons in the broker's office, a telegram broke down. Edison was the only person there who could repair the telegraph, so he got a better job than he expected. On June+10, 65438, he and Pop established "Pop-Edison Company", which specializes in scientific instruments for electrical engineering. Here, he invented "Edison Universal Printing Machine". He dedicated this printing machine to the manager of a big company on Wall Street. He wanted to charge 5000 dollars, but he didn't have the courage to say it. So he asked the manager to give a price, and the manager gave 40 thousand yuan.

Edison used the money to build a factory in Ward Street, Newark, New Jersey, which specializes in manufacturing all kinds of motors. He worked all night. He trained many capable assistants, and at the same time, he happened to meet diligent Mary Stilwell, his first bride in the future. In Newark, he invented wax paper and mimeograph. From 1872 to 1875, Edison invented the two-pole and four-pole telegraph successively, and helped others to make the world's first English typewriter.

1876 In the spring, Edison moved to Monroe Park in New Jersey again. He built the first "invention factory" here, which "marked the beginning of collective research". 1877, Edison improved the telephone invented by Bell and put it into practical use. He also invented the phonograph, one of his favorite projects. Telephone and telegraph "are a revolution to expand human sensory functions"; The phonograph is one of the three great inventions that have changed people's lives. "From the imagination of the invention, this is his extremely significant invention achievement." At this time, people called him "the magician of Monroe Park".

When Edison invented the phonograph, after numerous failures, he finally made a breakthrough in the study of electric lights. 1879, 10 year1October 22nd, Edison lit the first electric lamp with wide practical value. In order to prolong the life of the filament, he tried more than 6,000 kinds of fiber materials and found a new luminous body-Japanese bamboo filament, which can last for more than 1000 hours and achieve the purpose of durability. To some extent, this invention is the pinnacle of Edison's life. Then, he created a power supply system, which made the distant lights distribute electricity from the central power station, which was a great technical achievement.

His first discovery in pure science appeared in 1883. When testing the electric lamp, he observed what he called the Edison effect: in a lighted bulb, charge passes through space from the hot filament to the cold plate. Edison applied for a patent for this discovery in 1884, but did not study it further. Scientists nearby developed the electronic industry, especially radio and television, by using the Edison effect.

Edison tried to do for his eyes what the phonograph did for his ears, and the movie camera was born here. Using a piece of celluloid film newly invented by George Heasman, he took a series of photos and projected them on the curtain quickly and continuously, creating the illusion of movement. He experimented with movies for the first time in the laboratories of 1889 and 189 1. 1903, his company produced the first feature film great train robbery. Edison did a lot of work for the establishment and standardization of the film industry.

After Edison moved his laboratory to West Orange in 1887, he founded many commercial companies, manufactured products and popularized his various inventions. These companies later merged into Edison General Electric Company, which was later called General Electric Company. Since then, his interests have turned to fluorescence, ore mashers, magnetic separation of iron, storage batteries and railway signaling devices.

During World War I, he developed a torpedo device, a flamethrower and an underwater periscope.

1929 10 2 1 On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the invention of electric light, people held a grand celebration for Edison. Albert Einstein of Germany, Madame Curie of France and famous scientists from China congratulated him in succession. Unfortunately, at this celebration, Edison suddenly fainted because of excessive excitement during his defense. Since then, his health has gone from bad to worse 193 1 year1October 18 The scientist who made great contributions to mankind died of illness at the age of 84.

Edison's cultural level is extremely low, but his contribution to mankind is so great. What is the secret here? In addition to curiosity, he also has an instinct to experiment by himself, that is, he has unlimited energy and courage to work hard beyond ordinary people. When someone called Edison a "genius", he explained: "Genius is 2% inspiration and 98% sweat." He organized many people of different professions in the "invention factory", including more than 65,438+000 scientists, engineers, technicians and workers. Many of Edison's great inventions were achieved by collective strength. His achievements are mainly attributed to his diligence, creativity and collective strength. In addition, his wife also played a very important role.

Chronology invented by Edison;

18681June 1 1 invented the "voting counter" and obtained the first patent in his life.

1869 10 co-founded "Pop-Edison Company" with friends.

1870, he invented the universal printing press, granted the patent right and obtained $40,000. Set up their own manufacturing plant in new york.

1872-1876 invented the electric animation telegraph, the automatic recording telegraph and the double four telegraph, and manufactured the waxed paper carbon resistor.

1875 invented the acoustic analysis resonator.

1876, a laboratory-the first industrial research laboratory-was established in Menlo Park, New Jersey. This is the creation of the modern concept of "research group". Invent carbon rod microphone. Apply for a patent for automatic telegraph.

1877, the telephone invented by Bell was improved and put into practical use in Monroe Park. Obtained three patents: puncture pen, pneumatic stylus and ordinary stylus. On August 20th, he invented the phonograph, which proved to be Edison's favorite project.

1878 Edison claimed to have solved the problem of electric lighting. The Royal Society held a phonograph exhibition. Improve the phonograph, design microphone, loudspeaker, aerial speaker, sound engine, tuning engine, microcalorimeter, taste tester, etc. On February 65438+9, 2009, he obtained a patent for the phonograph. In July, Professor Parker from the University of Pennsylvania and I went to Wyoming to observe the total solar eclipse and measured the temperature around the sun with the thermometer he invented. In August, I returned to Monroe Park and resumed my scientific research and experiments. Britain approved Edison's patent application for "recorder". Visit William Wallace in Connecticut in September. Began to study the invention of electric light. 654381October 5th filed a patent application for platinum wire "electric lamp".

1879 ——1880 invented the high-resistance incandescent lamp after many hardships. An improved generator. Design new current distribution method, circuit arrangement and calculation method. Invent the electric lamp holder and switch. The method of magnetic separation of ore was invented.

1879 On August 30th, Edison and Bell demonstrated their telephone installation in the town hall of Saratoga Creek. Edison's telephone number was obvious in Bibel. 101October 2 1 day, invented a high-resistance incandescent lamp, which was continuously lit for 40 hours. 1 65438+1October1applied for the patent of carbon filament lamp. 65438+February 2 1 new york Express reported Edison's incandescent lamp. 65438+On February 25th, 2008, 3000 tourists from new york watched a public electric light show in Menlo Park.

1880 research helicopter. Obtain a patent for the invention of electric light. Making magnetic ore sieve. 654381October 28th, the patent of "power transmission and distribution system" was put forward. /kloc-in February of 0/8, Scripps published the article "Edison's electric light" and officially published the invention of electric light. In May, the first "Columbia" ship illuminated by electric lights made a successful trial.

New york Edison Electric Lighting Company was established in February 65438.

188 1 The headquarters of Fifth Avenue in New York was established. Set up an incandescent lamp factory in new york. Set up manufacturers of generators, underground wires and electric lamp parts. Test the tram in Monroe Park.

1882 invented the present three-wire distribution system. Patent application 14 1. The first central factory was established on September 4th. 65438+By the end of February, more than 150 small power stations had been built in all parts of the United States of America.

1885 filed a patent for wireless telegraph on May 23rd.

1887 ——1890 improved the cylindrical phonograph and obtained more than 80 patents on the phonograph. Engaged in the manufacture and sale of phonographs, records and sound machines.

1888, invented the phonograph.

1889 participated in the Paris centennial exposition. Invented all kinds of electrified railways. Complete the movie machine.

1890 ——1899 Design large-scale stone crusher and grinder. I personally directed the large-scale development of iron ore by new methods in Ogden Mine.

189 1 year, he invented "Edison concentrator" and started his own mining career. Obtained the patent of "mobile film projector". On May 20th, the first successful movie mirror was shown to the public at Edison Laboratory in West Orange, New Jersey.

1893, the world's first film "studio" was built in the courtyard of Edison's laboratory.

1894 April 14 The first movable film projector cinema in new york opened.

1896 On April 23rd, the film was released for the first time in Koster-Bayer Concert Hall in new york, which was warmly welcomed by the public.

1902 vehicle power test with new battery, with a journey of 5,000 miles, which can be driven on one charge 100 miles, which was successful.

1903 Edison's company produced the first feature film great train robbery.

1909 has been used for ten years, and the research of battery has finally succeeded. Send a fax or telegram. Obtained the design patents of raw material machine, fine grinding machine and long kiln.

1910-1914 Complete the disc phonograph without damaging the records and diamond records. Complete the sound film machine.

"CD recording" was invented in 19 10.

19 12 invented "talking movies". Developed into a phonograph.

1914-1915 invented a comprehensive manufacturing method of carbonic acid, which combined a phonograph and a teleprompter as a teleprompter, allowing one party's phone to automatically record the other party's speech. Homemade benzene, indigo oil, etc.

In1915-1918, as many as 39 inventions were completed, the most famous of which were torpedo mechanism, flamethrower and underwater periscope.

1927 completed a long record.

1928 successfully extracted rubber from weeds.

Edison, the great inventor

Curious nature

Edison is the world-famous "King of Invention". He invented about 2000 kinds of things in his life, such as phonograph, electric light, movies, batteries and so on. Edison's contribution to mankind is enormous! In the history of world scientific development, his name is like a bright star, shining forever.

1847 In February, Edison was born in Milan, Ohio, USA.

When he was a child, he was very thin and did not like to talk. He is quiet, likes to think and think, and is always curious about what is happening around him. He often sits alone at the crossroads in the village, watching how the big elm tree grows green buds and how the autumn wind turns the maple leaves red. He also pondered for a long time: why does the sun always rise slowly in the east in the morning and hide behind the mountains in the west at night? Why are white clouds floating in the blue sky? ...

When Edison was five years old, one day, he suddenly disappeared. Dad was so anxious to look around that he finally found him squatting in a chicken coop!

What are you doing here? Dad asked strangely.

"I'm incubating chickens." Edison answered seriously. It turned out that the day before, he saw the hen lying on the eggs and hatched chicks, so he wanted to try it himself and see if he could hatch chicks.

Dad pulled him up with anger and laughter and said to him, "silly boy!" You can't hatch chickens! Go! "

Little Edison frowned and asked discontentedly, "Why can't I hatch chickens and hens?"

Edison is such a curious child. He wants to know everything and try everything himself.

On another occasion, he found a wild beehive on the fence of the garden. Ah, what's the secret? He poked his head out carefully and looked in as if the bees were not at home. What a great opportunity! He thought, I'd like to see what's in the wild beehive today. He picked up a stick and poked it in. This is terrible! A group of wild bees buzzed out of the nest and came straight at him. Suddenly, Edison's face was swollen like bread. He lost his stick and ran away.

He often goes to nearby sawmills and shipyards, and is particularly interested in all kinds of tools there. He is always pestering the master worker to ask questions. Sometimes people can't answer, so they have to say "I don't know". He kept asking "why don't you know". Edison is such a child.

When Edison was 7 years old, his family moved to Port Huron, Michigan. There, he goes to school

At that time, there were only three courses in school: reading, writing and arithmetic. In class, the teacher is bored, but he often punishes students with boards. It happened that Edison liked to get to the bottom of the matter and often asked the teacher to be tongue-tied. The teacher became angry from embarrassment and often called him a "fool" in public.

Edison couldn't stand such insults, and returned home in tears, telling his mother his grievances and saying that he would never enter the school again.

His mother used to be a teacher, and she knows more about educational methods. She sympathized with her son's situation and said angrily:

"Teachers can't treat students like this!" She took her son by the hand and found the school. She scolded the teacher and said, "if you can't teach such a student well, it only shows that you are incompetent!" I will personally educate him and show you what kind of person he can be! " In a rage, mother expelled Edison from school. After that, Edison left school.

When he got home, his mother called his nickname and said to him seriously, "Tom, from now on, I will teach you to read." Are you determined to learn well? "

Mother's words deeply touched Edison's heart. He replied with a rare serious expression: "Mom, don't worry! I must study hard and do something in this world when I grow up! "

Edison was very diligent and studious. With the specific guidance and patient help of his mother, he studied English, arithmetic, chemistry, geography, history ... among them, chemistry attracted him the most. He tried his best to find chemistry books and spent all his pocket money on experimental instruments and medicines.

The cellar at home became his "laboratory". On the wooden frame he made, there are more than 200 bottles containing various medicines. Every day after class with his mother, he ran into the cellar to do his beloved experiment. This is Edison's happiest thing.

One day, Edison looked up and saw birds flying freely in the sky, so an idea came to his mind: birds can fly, why can't people fly? Can you think of a way to make people fly to the sky? He pondered, and suddenly thought: If a person's body is full of gas, isn't it also rising to the sky like a balloon? After careful observation, Edison found that there was a powder that could produce gas. He was so happy that he mobilized his little friend Mijili to do an experiment. Edison made Mijili drink a large dose of powder. Soon, Mijili rolled on the ground with a stomachache and cried loudly, which alarmed the whole family. Mom and dad panic when they ask about the situation. They called the doctor quickly and saved Mijili's life. Dad was so angry that he gave Edison a good beating with a wicker whip. However, while Edison was being beaten, he was still thinking, "Mijili has been doing experiments, but he won't bear it." What a pity! "

Edison's recklessness made his mother very angry. She believes that most of these chemicals are toxic, and if they are eaten casually, they will be life-threatening. Little Tom is ridiculous! So, she scolded angrily: "You are not allowed to use this cellar again, and you are not allowed to do experiments again." Edison was so anxious that he was about to cry. He felt that he had done something wrong, and he was afraid that his mother would really refuse to do the experiment, so he begged her: "If I don't do the experiment, how can I learn knowledge?" How can we achieve something? "

The mother was secretly taken aback when she heard her son's words. It turns out that the child's oath is not casually said, but his ambition engraved in his heart. Mother lifted the ban and Edison's first chemistry laboratory survived.

Special laboratory

When Edison 12 years old, the newly-built Huron-Detroit railway was opened to traffic. He didn't want his parents to spend more on his experiment, so he decided to sell newspapers on the train and earn some money to supplement his family.

Edison read books while selling newspapers. He goes out at seven o'clock every morning and goes home at half past nine in the evening. The train stopped in Detroit for several hours, so he took the opportunity to read in the biggest library in the city, rain or shine.

One day, a gentleman suddenly asked him, "I often see you in the library." How many books have you read? "

"I have read 15 feet."

Hearing this strange answer, the gentleman smiled and asked seriously, "The book you just read is completely different from the book you are holding now. What is the purpose of your study? "

Edison didn't understand the meaning of this question. He said, "I read them in the order on the shelf. I want to read all the books in this library next to each other! " "

This gentleman is even more surprised. He said, "Oh, dear! How ambitious you are! However, if reading has no purpose, reading everything will not be very effective. I hope that you will choose a goal first, and then work hard towards this goal and gain something. "

This accidental conversation gave Edison a great inspiration and had a very profound guiding significance for his reading, learning and growth.

On the train, Edison had some spare time besides selling newspapers. He didn't want to let time pass in vain, so he borrowed a corner of the baggage car from the old conductor to do the experiment. Although the old conductor has a bad temper, he has a kind heart. He agreed to the boy's sincere request. Edison was very happy. He brought many chemicals and appliances. As a result, this small luggage compartment soon became the first train laboratory in the world.

Suddenly, disaster struck.

On that day, the train was running fast on the uneven track, and the carriages swayed from side to side. There was a bang, and a bottle of white phosphorus was knocked to the ground. White phosphorus is a chemical element, which has two strange tempers: first, it is easy to oxidize, and it will combine with the oxidation in the air as soon as it meets the air, and it will immediately heat up, so that the temperature will continue to rise. Second, the ignition point is low, that is, the temperature that can catch fire is very low, about 50 degrees Celsius, and self-immolation. So when this bottle of white phosphorus was knocked to the ground, it suddenly caught fire and fireworks filled this small laboratory. Edison saw that the situation was not good, so he quickly took off his coat and hit it hard, shouting, "Put out the fire quickly!" " Fire! "

After hearing the news, the old train attendants and workers hurried to put out the fire without knowing the cause of the fire. After some fighting, the fire was finally put out. However, the old conductor flew into a rage. He raised his voice, scolded Edison and slapped him hard. At that time, Edison only felt a "buzz" and his ears could not hear anything. It turned out that his right eardrum was shattered. The future inventor paid the price of an ear for his beloved experiment.

The unfortunate experience did not bring Edison down. He can't do the experiment on the train, so he plans to do it at home after selling the newspaper. At this time, his interest has shifted to electricity.

Edison installed a simple transceiver with his neighbor's children. They set up bamboo poles between two houses, pulled up iron wires as wires, and found some glass bottles as insulators. These two children often practice from night till late at night, and sometimes till early morning.

Coincidentally, shortly after the car caught fire, Edison suddenly got a good opportunity to learn electricity. Here's the thing:

1862 One morning in August, Edison was selling newspapers at a small station. Suddenly looking up, I saw a little boy of three or four years old squatting on the rail and playing with stones, and a truck was galloping towards him. Edison let out a whoop of "Ouch", threw down the newspaper, rushed down the platform in desperation, and grabbed the child. At this moment, the train roared past his ear. That was close! Edison held the little boy and fell to the side of the railway track. His face and hands were cut, but the child was saved.

The little boy's father is Mackenzie, the stationmaster of this station. He is an excellent operator. Mackenzie saw this thrilling scene with his own eyes and was moved incoherently: "Thank you … thank you, thank you for saving … my child!" " "

Edison smiled indifferently. He picked up the newspaper from the ground, patted the dust on his body, boarded the train and left.

The next day, when Edison's train pulled into the station, Mackenzie was already waiting on the platform. He said to Edison sincerely, "I have nothing to reward you." I hear you are very interested in telegrams. If you like, I can teach you how to send and receive telegrams and make you a telegraph operator. "These words are from the heart of little Edison. He happily accepted Mackenzie's kindness and followed him to learn the technology of sending and receiving telegrams.

Edison studied very attentively and made rapid progress. Only three months later, he was proficient in sending and receiving telegrams. Mackenzie recommended him to be a train station operator. This unexpected learning opportunity laid a good foundation for Edison's great inventions in the future.

seek knowledge

During the five years from the age of 16 to the age of 2 1 6, Edison was forced to leave his hometown and wander around, often living a life of hunger and cold. However, as long as he has a little extra money, he will buy books and experimental supplies at once.

Once, Edison worked as a night shift operator in a city in the southern United States. During the day, he bought dozens of books in a second-hand bookstore and prepared to take them home after work.

At three or four o'clock in the morning, Edison came home from work. He walked with his head down with a heavy schoolbag on his back. The policeman patrolling at night saw him coming in a hurry with a big bag, suspected that he was a thief and called him to stop. But Edison didn't hear it at all, because he was deaf and he was still on his way. The policeman mistakenly thought that he was going to escape, so he raised his gun and let it go. He didn't stop until the roaring bullets passed by his ear and fell down immediately. At this moment, the police came and caught him.

Only after questioning did the police know that he was deaf. When I opened the parcel again, I found it was full of old books. The policeman said, "Boy, you are so lucky!" ! If my marksmanship is accurate, your life will be lost in vain! "

1868 In the early winter, Edison was introduced by a friend and went to Boston as a telegraph operator. Telegraph work here is very busy, and telegrams often pile up and cannot be sent in time. Edison thought: if you can send two telegrams on the same line at the same time, wouldn't the efficiency be doubled? However, he tried many times and failed. Once, he got the financial support from the company manager, so he studied this double-faction method day and night.

How nervous his life is! I only sleep for four hours every day and work the rest of the time. One night, he bought a copy of The Complete Works of Faraday. As soon as he got off work at night, he couldn't put it down, reading from midnight until the next morning. Roommate's friend asked him, "Aren't you hungry?" Edison looked up and shook his head and said, "Life is too short, and there are so many things to do. How can I not race against time!" " "

Faraday's works opened Edison's eyes and made him acquire extremely rich knowledge of electricity. He once told people that this is the most instructive book he has ever read. Since then, he has been more energetic in doing experiments. Finally, before Chun Xue was completely melted, he successfully built a double launcher. Edison's name began to appear in newspapers.

lean life

/kloc-one day in 0/869, Edison went to new york by steamboat to look for a job. He was penniless, and his first breakfast in new york was a cup of black tea.

After running for a day, he finally found a friend, borrowed one yuan and had a place to rest. A friend introduced him to spend the night in the computer room of the gold exchange. Spread some linen bags in the corner of the computer room. This is Edison's bed.

There is an electric gold price marker in the exchange, which can automatically display the local gold price at that time. The central part of the marking machine is in this room. Edison took a keen interest in it. He studied the machine carefully every day.

How time flies! In a blink of an eye, he has been in new york for three days and hasn't found a job yet. He had to sit quietly in the corner of the computer room every day, staring at the mechanical movements.

At that time, the financial circles in the United States were very chaotic, and the fluctuation of gold price could directly dominate the price of the whole city, so the gold price marking machine naturally became the center of people's attention. It happened that at this juncture, the gold price marking machine broke down. The communication reporting the price of gold was cut off. Suddenly, the crowd rushed to the front of the exchange, shouting and cursing, so that the technicians who managed the machine didn't even know where the fault was, and the manager Rouse jumped aside. At this time, the clever Edison was watching calmly. He saw the problem and interrupted me: "A contact spring on the machine broke and fell between two gears."

Rouse heard that someone had found the reason. Although he didn't know Edison, he quickly said, "Fix it! Pack it! Hurry up! "

Edison quickly disassembled the machine, pressed the spur gear and took out the broken spring. He was busy for two hours, and the machine worked normally again.

Rouse was very grateful to Edison. After he inquired about Edison's origin, he immediately gave Edison a strict examination next to a pile of chemistry and physics books. Rouse admired the young man and found that he not only knew the structure of the machine like the back of his hand, but also came up with many ways to improve it. Rouse decided to hire Edison to manage all the technical work of the machine, with a monthly salary of 300 yuan. Edison was overjoyed because he had never earned so much money. From then on, he can buy more books and experimental supplies. Moreover, this job can further develop a person's intelligence. Later, Edison invented a new type of commercial quotation machine, and the reward was $40,000. Edison was not tempted by money to lead a dissolute life. He used all his money to open a factory and devoted himself to invention.

Edison's career as an inventor made this more difficult. He often works day and night. He once said to others: "Sleep is the biggest obstacle to research work. People have to die anyway, and they can sleep after they die, so they don't need to sleep more before they die. They should do more work when they are alive. "

Invent the phonograph

With the passage of time, Edison's invention career also gradually expanded. 1876, he founded the Menlo Park Institute. Some important inventions, such as carbon telephone, phonograph, electric light ... are all his research.