The highest field of science is art.

Thomas Alva Edison is a world-famous American electrician and inventor. In addition to his inventions and contributions in phonograph, electric light, telephone, telegraph and film, he also has many famous creations and opinions in the fields of mining and architecture. Edison had about 2,000 inventions in his life, which made great contributions to the progress of human civilization.

Invention achievement

Edison

Edison (20 photos)

Edison (1847.2.11~1931.18), an American, was born in poverty and dropped out of primary school after only three months. But he is diligent in self-study, good at thinking and obsessed with scientific experiments. He obtained 1093 invention patents in his life, among which phonograph, electric light, movie camera and alkaline storage battery are all famous.

Edison

Edison (3)

Combined atlas

Combined Atlas (2 sheets)

Menlo park laboratory

Menlo Park Laboratory (4 sheets)

1879101October 2 1 day, he successfully made the world's first light bulb with carbonized cotton thread as the filament. It took him nearly three days to put the filament into the vacuum glass bulb, turn on the power and emit soft light equivalent to 10 gas lamps, which lasted for about 40 hours. He tested 1600 kinds of heat-resistant materials and 6000 kinds of plant fibers from all over the world. He decided to use carbonized bamboo silk as the filament. This filament can emit light continuously for 1200 hours. 1908, William Kreiger, an employee of Edison Electric Company, invented the tungsten lamp wire, which finally made the filament durable.

In addition to his inventions and contributions in the phonograph, electric light, telephone, telegraph and film, Edison also had many creations and opinions in the fields of mining, construction and chemical industry. With his perseverance and studious spirit, he became the most successful inventor in human history through personal struggle, and was known as the "king of invention" and the messenger who spread the gospel of electricity to the world. It has made great contributions to human civilization and progress and greatly improved the quality of human social life. It is said that IQ is 160. According to statistics, Edison made a new invention every 15 days on average.

Edison was also an entrepreneur. 1879, he founded "Edison Electric Lighting Company". 1880, incandescent lamps went on sale. 1890, Edison merged its various businesses into Edison General Electric Company. 189 1 year, Edison's thin filament and high vacuum incandescent bulb were patented. 1892, Tom Houston Company and Edison Electric Lighting Company merged to form General Electric Company, which opened the hegemony of General Electric in the electrical field for a century.

Note: 1093 inventions were actually completed by a team of scientists formed by Edison, but it was actually a mistake for Edison to win fame alone.

Growth process

Edison 1847 February 1 1 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. Edison went to school at the age of eight, but after only three months of study, he was dismissed as an "imbecile" and "idiot" by his teacher and asked to drop out. Since then, his mother has been his tutor, teaching her son to read and write by herself. Edison had a keen interest in reading. At the age of eight, he read the works of 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.

Edison's earliest interest in natural science was in chemistry. He loved chemistry when he was 10. He collected about 200 bottles and saved every penny to buy chemicals and put them in bottles. 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. At the age of 12, he got a job selling newspapers on the train and went back and forth 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. 186 1 year, the American civil war broke out. Edison, who just turned 14 years old, bought an old money printing machine and used the convenience of taking the train to run a tabloid (weekly) Herald to convey the war situation and news along the way. The first issue of this weekly is printed on the train. He is also a journalist, editor, typesetter, proofreader, printer and publisher. The tabloids are very popular, and he also gained talent, knowledge and experience from his intense work, and earned a lot of money to continue his chemical experiments. With the money he earned, he set up a chemistry laboratory on the baggage car. Unfortunately, when he was doing an experiment on the train, the train suddenly bumped, causing a piece of phosphorus to fall on the board and cause burning. The conductor came to put out the fire and gave him a heavy slap, which made his right ear deaf. He was kicked off the train when Edison was 15 years old. Another way of saying it is: Unfortunately, once a chemical caught fire, he was thrown out of the car with his equipment. 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 led to Edison's lifelong deafness. )

Frustration did not discourage Edison. He fell in love with the telegraph again. After repeated research, he invented the automatic power recorder at 1868, which was his first invention. Later, he invented two new types of telegrams. 1877, he invented the carbon telephone transmitter to make the original telephone sound clearer. In addition, he invented the phonograph.

1878 In September, Edison began to study electric lights when he was 3 1 year old. At that time, the gas lamp had replaced the kerosene lamp, but the flame flickered and when it was extinguished, it would produce harmful gas; Arc lamp has also been invented and used in public places, but it is not suitable for indoor use because it hisses when burning and is too bright. At that time, many European and American scientists were already exploring to make a new and stable luminous body.

Edison studied the arc lamp and announced that he could invent a satisfactory lamp, but he needed money. At that time, he was a man with 170 invention patents, and his inventions brought huge profits to capitalists, so a consortium was willing to provide him with financial assistance. After thousands of failures, in April of 1879, he improved the rod-shaped and tubular lamps of his predecessors and made a glass ball. 1879 65438+1Oct. 2 1 He fixed a carbon-treated cotton thread in a glass bulb, pumped out air, sealed the mouth, applied current to make it glow, and a new lighting object appeared.

From 1880 to 1882, Edison designed light sockets, buttons, fuses, current breakers, electric meters, chandeliers, and also designed main line and branch line systems, making the world's largest generator at that time, establishing the first power plant in new york and opening up the first civil lighting system. Later, he and george eastman invented the movie camera together. Edison's three great inventions: the phonograph, the electric light and power system and the movie camera enriched and improved the civilized life of mankind.

Edison died in West Orange, USA on193118, at the age of 84. He was buried in the same city. Up to now, no one can break his record of holding 1093 invention patents, and people call him the king of invention.

Edison died of uremia. 1 931August1day, Edison felt unwell. According to the doctor's diagnosis, he suffers from many diseases, including chronic nephritis, uremia and diabetes. 193 1 On August 4th, 2000, the medical bulletin published in the The New York Times said, "Mr. Edison is like a boat sailing in a dangerous channel. Maybe he can pass safely, or he may run into a rock. " 10 June 13, Edison hit a "reef" and fell into a coma. 193 1 year1year1October 18, Edison died at the age of 84.

The reason for inventing the electric light editor

When Edison was a child, his family was very poor. At that time, candles and kerosene were very expensive items. Edison thought hard every day and finally came up with a good idea. At that time, electricity was the cheapest, so Edison connected the light emitter to the power supply to generate light for lighting to benefit the poor all over the world.

Editor of Life, Invention and Science Journey

1862 In August, Edison rescued a dying boy on the train track. 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. This automatic voting machine is a machine with green and red buttons. Press the green button for "Yes" and the red button for "No". After the machine was finished, he went to Washington to show it. Edison thought that this device could speed up the work of Congress and that it would be popular. However, a congressman told him that they had no intention of speeding up the agenda, and sometimes they voted slowly because of political needs. From then on, Edison decided never to make inventions that people didn't need again.

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 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 established the first "invention factory" here, marking 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 travels from the hot filament through space 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.

1888, a man full of magic, nikola tesla invented the world's first alternator, which severely hit Edison's DC industry. The most famous "current war" in the history of invention began. As a capitalist, Edison began to denigrate Tesla's alternating current. He used examples of alternating current electrocuting elephants and electric chair electrocuting death row inmates to prove that alternating current is dangerous. However, Tesner later proved that alternating current is safe under normal circumstances. The war without smoke reached its dramatic peak at 1893. This year, the Columbia Expo was held in Chicago, and alternating current completely defeated direct current. The war also ended in Edison's failure.

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, and famous scientists such as Einstein of Germany and Madame Curie of France congratulated him one after another. Unfortunately, at this celebration, Edison suddenly fainted because of excessive excitement when he gave a reply. Since then, his health has gone from bad to worse

Edison didn't have much formal education, but he made such a great contribution to mankind. What is the secret? In addition to a curious heart and an instinct to try by himself, he still has unlimited energy and courage beyond ordinary people to work hard. When someone called Edison a "genius", he explained: "Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% 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. In addition, his wife also played a very important role.

Edison's success should also be attributed to his mother's understanding and patient teaching since childhood, which made Edison, who was originally considered an imbecile, become a world-famous "king of invention" when he grew up.

In Edison's life, 1093 inventions were officially registered in the US Patent Office. 188 1 is the highest recorded year of his invention. This year, he applied for filing 14 1 invention, and there was a new invention every three days on average.

Edison's life tells us that great achievements come from hard work.

The life of Tealang

Edison 188 1 began to live in new York in the winter of, and his time in Monroe park became shorter and shorter. His wife and children live in new york, and his hometown Menlo Park has become a summer resort. The Edison family spent several summers in Monroe Park.

1884, Edison was 37 years old. It was a sad year for Edison: in summer, Mary Edison contracted typhoid fever, a dangerous disease. At first, I thought she just had a cold, so she should take some medicine. So Edison, who worked hard in new york, didn't go to see her. Mary's sister Alice and the doctors try their best to take care of her every day and stay by the bed all the time.

Soon, his wife's condition deteriorated and Edison didn't go to graduate school for several days. Edison was derided as a "workaholic". He seldom comes to the graduate school, so his colleagues are very worried. His wife's hope of recovery was dashed, and Mary Edison died in the early morning of August 9, 1984. After the funeral ceremony was held in the house, the coffin was transported to a small station and sent to her childhood hometown of new york by train. The news of her death was released on August 16: "The wife of the famous inventor Edison died suddenly in Monroe Park, New Jersey on Saturday, 9th of this month". /kloc-a funeral was held on the afternoon of 0/2, attended by more than 400 guests. These include Edison's manager Aidan, assistant managers Johnson, Laurie, De Navarro and Roosevelt. Clothes hangers send many flowers. She was buried in Kekuaile Mountain Cemetery in new york.

After Mrs. Edison died, she left him three young children: Dortmund, 6 years old; Thomas Alva Jr., 8 years old; William L., 6 years old. The death of his wife made him feel lonely as never before. However, he had to go on working. He rented his house to William and holzer, sent his children to new york and entrusted them to his grandmother Steve.

Monroe Park can only give the inventor sad memories, so he moved out all the parts, medicines and instruments and discarded them. A few years later, the old house was burned down by lightning, and the old light factory next to the Pennsylvania Railway was also burned down. After Edison moved out, farmers moved in.

The big room above the laboratory was rented out for a dance. L.m。 Hirsch made it the headquarters of his band and set up a stage at the back of the room. The first floor downstairs used to be a cowshed. The old building gradually fell apart, and the wood was demolished to build a nearby house, and finally it collapsed.

The east end of the brick machine factory was transformed into a storage room for storing sundries in Monroe Park Fire Department. The other end was once used as a cowshed. There is a farmer named Thomas J. McConnell who lives in that small glass room and keeps many pigs on that ranch. Later, a family named willcocks moved into the house in the former office and raised a lot of chickens in the house.

During the years between 1884 and 1885, Edison's life was lonely and monotonous. Mary didn't ask much of Tom when she was alive. She loves him and understands the importance of his career. Edison didn't have much time for family life, but Mary was always waiting for him. Edison was very lonely and monotonous. He may have apologized to her because he didn't spend too much time.

Edison began the experiment of transforming arc lamp in 1877, and put forward the idea of dividing current to turn arc lamp into white light. The experiment should reach a satisfactory level. It is necessary to find a substance that can burn to white heat as a filament, and can withstand high-temperature combustion of more than 2000 degrees 1000 hours. At the same time, the usage should be simple, can withstand the impact of daily use, and the price should be low. It is also necessary to turn on and off one lamp without affecting the turn-off of any other lamp and maintain the relative independence of each lamp. This was a very bold idea at that time, which required great efforts to explore and experiment. As for the materials used for silk, Edison first experimented with carbonized materials, and then experimented with platinum-iridium alloy with high melting point. He also made 1600 different experiments on fine ores and seedlings, and the results failed. But at this time, he and his assistants have made great progress, knowing that incandescent filament must be sealed in a glass ball with high vacuum and not easy to melt. In this way, his experiment returned to carbon wire. He used it day and night in the first half of 1880, but Edison's incandescent lamp experiment still had no result. He devoted all his energy to carbonization, and there were more than 6,000 kinds of carbonization experiments on plants alone. More than 200 notebooks with more than 40,000 pages related to experiments have passed three years. He works eighteen or nine hours a day. At three or four o'clock every morning, he only sleeps under the experimental table with two or three books on his head. Sometimes he sleeps on the stool three or four times a day for only half an hour at a time.

By the first half of 1880, Edison's incandescent lamp experiment was still inconclusive, and even his assistants were discouraged. One day, he tore a bamboo filament tied to the edge of a banana fan in the laboratory into filaments and carbonized it into filaments. The result is better than all previous experiments. This is Edison's first incandescent electric lamp-bamboo filament electric lamp. This kind of bamboo filament lamp lasted for many years.