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 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.
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. This war without smoke reached the climax of Latin drama in 1893. This year's Columbia Expo was held in Chicago, and AC completely defeated DC. 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 during his defense. 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.