1. Thomas Edison was born in 1847 in Ohio.
2. He showed an interest in science and engineering at a young age, experimenting with chemicals and electricity.
3. He was homeschooled by his mother until the age of 12.
4. At age 12, he started working as an apprentice to a telegrapher.
5. He opened his own business selling newspapers and candy on the Grand Trunk Railroad line.
6. In 1876, he moved from New Jersey to Menlo Park and set up a laboratory for invention and research.
7. In 1879, he invented the incandescent light bulb, which used electricity to produce light.
8. The incandescent light bulb made it possible for people to work at night or indoors without natural light.
9. Besides the light bulb, Edison is credited with inventing the phonograph and the motion picture camera.
10. He held more than 1,000 patents for his inventions.
11. He earned an honorary degree from Columbia University in 1887.
12. President John F. Kennedy recognized him with a posthumous citation as one of the greatest inventors in history.
13. Thomas Edison died in 1931 at his home in New Jersey.
14. His inventions will continue to be remembered for years to come.
15. Many modern-day technologies owe their existence, in part, to Edison’s pioneering work.
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