Thomas Edison was a well respected inventor and businessman. He contributed greatly to the early development of our country. He left a great mark on the United States, and he will be forever remembered for it.

On February 11, 1847 a little boy was born. This little boy was named Thomas Edison. On this day, no one knew how much of an impact this little baby would have on the world.

What might come as a surprise to many is that Thomas Edison did not go to school for more than a few months. His mother taught him reading, writing, and math at home.

By the time Thomas Edison was a teenager, he was already making his mark on the world. One day, he saved a little boy from being hit by a train!

oh no!!!

The father of the little boy Thomas Edison saved was so very thankful for his courage that he decided to teach him how to operate a telegraph.

By 1867, Thomas Edison moves to Boston, Massachusetts to continue working as a telegrapher.

As Edison is working as a telegrapher, he also begins his career as an inventor. He made the first electric vote recorder, but his invention was not well liked by the public.

After his failed invention, Edison set off for New York City in 1869!

Finally, Edison hit the jackpot! He invented a device called the "Universal Stock Printer," and a company bought it from him for $40,000!

Edison was so excited for his career as an inventor to finally begin! With the money from selling the stock printer, Edison opened up his first laboratory in Newark, New Jersey.

Some years later, Edison met Mary Stilwell who he fell in love with and married. Edison sold the laboratory in Newark, and started his next adventure with his new wife in Menlo Park!

Don't worry, Edison's inventing days didn't stop when he started his family. He opened a new laboratory in Menlo Park that was bigger and better!

With Edison's brand new laboratory, he invented the a fancy device called the tin foil phonograph. People loved this device so much that Edison got to go to the White House and show it to the President!

Even though Edison was very successful, he wasn't done yet. Edison began working on an electric lightbulb that people everywhere could use.

A year and a half later...Edison did what people had been trying to do for years. He made an electric lamp and lightbulb that was safe for home use. Soon Edison's fame along with electricity made its way to people around the world.

As Edison grew older, he never lost his love for inventing. He once again began working on his phonograph.