Thomas Alva Edison is largely considered one of the world’s greatest inventors. How did the “Wizard of Menlo Park” gain this distinction? He would argue, as many have in his stead, that it was a curious mind, an iron will, and a relentless effort that led to his many successes.  

Born in February of 1847 in Milan, Ohio, Thomas Alva “Al” Edison grew up in a family of poor Dutch farmers. Young Al had plenty of adventures in Milan, but by the age of seven, he and his family moved to Port Huron,  Michigan. Whether in Ohio or Michigan, he was always asking questions, which sometimes got him into trouble. Read some of the recommended stories to hear about his humorous experiments as a young boy!

Despite his later success, a young Thomas Edison didn’t seem like a prodigy; in fact, he was a late bloomer. Due to a bout of scarlet fever, he was left hearing impaired from an early age and subsequently struggled in school. His mother, who believed in her son and saw the power of his natural curiosity and imagination, decided to homeschool him. Through her steady guidance and instruction, Al, as he was affectionately known as a young boy, was given an excellent education and allowed the freedom to explore the world as he read history, the Bible, Shakespeare, and scientific texts, through which, he learned of many great inventors, such as Galileo. All this study fed his insatiable desire to experiment and continue his learning, much of which was acquired through independent study and training. 

He eventually made his way to New Jersey, where, after failures and successes in meeting the needs of the community through creative inventions at factories he had started, he established a laboratory at Menlo Park. Here, he created many inventions, such as the electric pen, the phonograph, and the electric light. These miraculous inventions had a huge impact on society because they radically changed the way people lived; thus, his moniker, “The Wizard of Menlo Park” was born.  

Upon reading biographies of Edison, one thing becomes clear: although he was certainly not a perfect man, he grew into a man of character and, thus, one we can emulate. From risking his life as a teenager to save a little boy from death under a moving freight car to working harder than even the workers in his factories to always giving credit where it was due to those who helped him create inventions, he made good choices that formed his habits and ultimately spurred and led him toward virtue. In October, when we focus on perseverance, his example stands above many. He rarely gave up and often saw failure as an opportunity to learn something new. “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that don’t work,” he famously espoused, and he really believed it. As our students try new and challenging things this school year, encourage them to remember Thomas Alva Edison, who was great not only for his contributions to the world but also, more importantly, for his earnest perseverance despite all odds.