Edison, who is described as the man who made our lives easier with his inventions, has so many inventions that they cannot be counted. Moreover, his life is so interesting that his inventions are not the only thing that made him famous. The “tension”-filled war between Edison and Tesla also makes these two scientists known.
In our article, we talked about the entire story of Edison, one of the most productive inventors and a scientist who can be called the king of patents, from his life to his war with Tesla.
Edison’s life began in Ohio, where he lived a productive life.
When explaining who Edison was, it is useful to know that he was born in Ohio as the last child of his family and spent his life constantly working. It is known that he worked in professions such as local journalism and full-time telegraph operator even when he was a child. In fact, it is said that he is so hard-working that he continues to read scientific and technical books while practicing these professions. It would not be a lie to say that he was introduced to science thanks to these books.
Considering his education life, it is known that he had a short school life and continued his education at home because his perception was thought to be slow. Another known fact is that his interest in science at a young age brought him together with physics and chemistry books. I’m sure you won’t be surprised when we say that he even experimented in the fields of electricity and mechanics at a young age.
Edison is among those known to have worked on telegraph equipment, but another feature of the inventor that will surprise you is that Edison’s hearing was impaired due to an illness he had as a child, and yet he worked on telegraphs.
Even though his first invention was a commercial failure, he remains steadfast.
It is known that his first invention received a patent, but this process resulted in a commercial failure when the invention did not sell. This failure does not discourage Edison, and Edison, who is knowledgeable about telegraphy, continues to produce telegraph-related inventions.
His first successful invention is known as the “Universal Stock Printer,” which he worked on after moving to New York and thought it would be aimed at the public. The universal stock printer is used to transmit “real-time” stock market data to investors.
After his successful inventions, Edison also received large amounts of investment to continue his work. In fact, it is among those known that the first laboratory he established was established thanks to this investment. His work in this facility is also about developing the telegraph. So much so that it is possible to say that he came to the top in this field with the invention of two-way telegraph and a printer that converts electrical signals into letters.
Edison’s career rises with Menlo Park
After selling his laboratory where he worked on telegraphy, he came to Menlo Park and started his work there. Considered a turning point for Edison, it goes down in history as the first industrial research laboratory located in Menlo Park, New Jersey. Menlo Park, an important innovation for America, is launching a first as an R&D facility.
Many inventions that Edison would patent are made in this center. It is known that he invented the phonograph device in this laboratory. Phonograph is known as a device that records sound and it produces quite a “sound”. In fact, the first message recorded with a phonograph was “Mary had a little lamb.” message.
Edison is working in Menlo Park to develop many inventions such as the telephone, electric train, and electric lighting, and continues to receive large investments. The name of William Joseph Hammer, who was his assistant at the time to develop these inventions, is especially important. The reason is that Hammer played a big role in the production of the electric light bulb.
With the discovery of the light bulb, his work in the electrical industry continues.
The adventure, which started with the invention of the electric light bulb, continued with Swan’s production of the electric light bulb and two scientists joining forces with an experiment called the Edison effect. The Edison effect is known as “electron emission in the molecular space of the heated filament”. With this invention, he created a revolution and invented the incandescent light bulb in 1883.
When the first power plant built by Edison came into operation in 1882, he was adding to his success. So much so that he has 1903 patented inventions, including his work in the electrical industry. Edison is an important scientist in terms of helping technology develop and take its current form.
Edison’s invention of this invention, which emits light that can be used for a long time by passing low current through the bulb, and the creation of a complete lighting system consisting of important inventions such as electric generators, wires that transmit current from power plants, lamps and sockets, allow him to make a name for himself in the electrical industry.
“Alternating current” is at the center of Tesla and Edison rivalry
It is a fact that the entire scientific community knows about the war between Tesla and Edison. This war begins when Tesla explains the alternating current system to Edison and Edison tells him that he spends too much time on theory. As is known, Edison is considered the inventor of direct current.
Ignoring the alternating current theory, Edison offers Tesla a completely different task and 50,000 dollars as a result of this task. However, when Tesla finishes the task, Edison mentions that such money will not be given to him. After this incident, which ignited the war between them, Edison bought Tesla’s patents, increasing the competition.
Although important inventions such as the first hydroelectric power plant in Niagara Falls and neon lighting were made by Tesla, the fact that Edison was affected by smear campaigns and could not demonstrate his achievements sufficiently is an indication of how high the competition is. When we look at the point that technology has reached, it is an indisputable fact that both inventors have made a great contribution to the development of technology.
Some of Edison’s best-known inventions:
- Electric Vote Recorder/1868
- Electric Pen/1876
- Carbon Microphone/1877
- Incandescent Bulb/1878
- Improved Phonograph/1888
- Cinema Machine/1891
Electric Vote Recorder/1868
Electric Pen/1876
Carbon Microphone/1877
Incandescent Bulb/1878
Improved Phonograph/1888
Cinema Machine/1891
Edison Ford Electric Car/1914
Edison, one of the pioneers of the development of technology as it is today, made our lives easier by making many inventions. Edison, who had an extraordinary but successful life, is among those known to have founded and managed many companies. It seems that the inventor, known as a good businessman, shed light on science thanks to the patents he brought to the world.
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