Happy Birthday, Mr. Edison!
Thomas Alvin Edison, the iconic American inventor of the light bulb, the phonograph, and the moving picture (and nemesis of Nikola Tesla), would have been 168 today. Born on February 11, 1847, in Milan, Ohio, Thomas Edison was a hyperactive child and prone to distraction. Deemed "difficult" by his teacher, he was pulled from school and home-schooled by his mother. At a young age he developed a process for self-education and learning independently that would serve him throughout his life.
Edison rose from humble beginnings to work as an inventor of major technology, quickly gaining fame by his 30s and acquiring a reputation as a “wizard.” In addition to being a brilliant inventor, Edison was also a successful manufacturer and businessman who was highly skilled at marketing his inventions–and himself–to the public. By the time he died on October 18, 1931, Thomas Edison had amassed a record 1,093 patents: 389 for electric light and power, 195 for the phonograph, 150 for the telegraph, 141 for storage batteries, and 34 for the telephone.
Through Edison’s numerous quotes we can see this was a man who worked tirelessly and relentlessly, never taking no for an answer. He persevered, perspired, and worked through trials and tribulations to achieve success.
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“Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.”
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“Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.”
“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”
“Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.”
“The three great essentials to achieve anything worthwhile are, first, hard work; second, stick-to-itiveness; third, common sense.”
“I never did anything by accident, nor did any of my inventions come by accident; they came by work.”
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“Everything comes to him who hustles while he waits.”
Thomas Edison— America’s first hustler.