Young Thomas
At what age did Thomas Edison begin experimenting?
Thomas Edison began experimenting when he was 12 years old.
In what U.S. state was the first invention factory located?
The first invention factory was located in New Jersey.
What invention helped Edison create motion pictures?
Edison created the kinetograph to film motion pictures.
What was the name of Edison’s invention that recorded and played back sound?
Edison invented the tinfoil phonograph.
What invention changed bedtime forever?
The incandescent light bulb changed bedtime forever.
What was Thomas's first invention for the government?
His first invention for the government was a vote recorder.
What was the name of Edison’s team location for research and experiments?
Edison’s research and experiment center was called Menlo Park.
What did Edison use for light in his early movie studio?
Edison used sunlight through the roof of the studio.
What nickname did Edison earn for his sound invention?
He was called the Wizard of Menlo Park.
What invention helped power homes, trucks, and submarines?
Edison’s nickel-iron storage battery powered many things including homes and submarines.
What did Edison often do when he failed at something?
Edison used failure as a learning tool and always tried again.
What was unique about Edison’s lab in West Orange, New Jersey?
The West Orange lab was even bigger and busier than the one in Menlo Park.
What was the name of the first movie-viewing machine?
The first viewing machine was called the kinetoscope.
How did the tinfoil phonograph work?
A needle vibrated to make grooves on tin as someone spoke into a horn.
What did Edison create to help cities get electricity?
He created a power system and generator on Pearl Street in Manhattan.
What was Edison’s very first patent for?
His first patent was for the vote recorder.
What did Edison call the lab where he worked on movies?
He called it the Black Maria.
What was the name of the machine that added sound to movies?
The kinetophone was the machine that added sound to movies.
What toy used a tiny phonograph to speak?
A talking doll used a tiny phonograph to speak.
How did Edison improve on light bulbs?
He made them sturdy, safe, bright, and long-lasting.
What job did Edison have in his teens that inspired him to improve technology?
In his teens, Edison worked as a telegraph operator.
What does it mean to when we say that Edison’s lab a “world first”?
It was the world’s first research and development laboratory.
What did Edison want movies to do?
Edison wanted movies to do for the eye what the phonograph did for the ear.
What was the phonograph later used for in offices?
It was used as the first dictation machine to record and play back spoken messages.
What invention helped office workers record and replay spoken messages?
The phonograph helped office workers record and replay spoken messages.