Let there be light ...

Thomas Alva Edison 1847-1931

Happy Birthday Mr. Edison!!
I am absolutely amazed when i think about people like this. People like edison who devote their life to learning & creating. Who continue to ask the most simple question "why" and then do anything it takes to find the answers they are seeking. His passion and persistence are to thank for so many of the modern things we take for granted. I am particularly grateful for his visionary success in providing light & power to the masses. I do so enjoy being able to plug things in and use a light switch!

Some little Edison tidbits for you:
- he was the last of seven children
- he didn't learn to talk until he was almost 4 years old
- he was extremely shy
- he only had 3 months of formal schooling
- he was only able to hear at about 20% out of his right ear and was completely deaf in his left
- at age 14 he published his own paper with a readership of over 300 people
- by 15 he had mastered the telegraph
- at 16 he came up with his 1st authentic invention called the "automatic repeater"
- he was fired from Western Union for "lack of concentration" on his duties
- he obtained 1,093 patents in his life
- he tested over 3,000 filaments before coming up with his version of the practical lightbulb
- he invented and patented the motion picture camera ... ok this one might be my favorite fact!

Some of my favorite Edison quotes:
"Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration. Accordingly, a 'genius' is often merely a talented person who has done all of his/her homework."
"Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work."
"If we all did the things that we are really capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves."
 "The 3 things that are most essential to achievement are common sense, hard work and stick-to-it-iv-ness."
"The thing I lose patience with the most is the clock. Its hands move far too fast."