Science Struck
Science Struck: Facts About Thomas Edison
Read about the life of Thomas Edison and his many inventions.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Mit: Invention of the Week: Thomas Alva Edison
As the inventor of the lightbulb, phonograph, and the printing telegraph, Thomas Alva Edison (1847-1931), improved the daily lives of everyday people.
Other
Earliest Voices: Recording the Early Voices
Here's an interesting look at the development of the phonograph by Thomas Edison and other inventors.
A&E Television
History.com: 8 Famous Figures Who Believed in Communicating With the Dead
Spiritualism's popularity waxed and waned throughout the 19th century and the first decades of the 20th century, and surged on the heels of major wars and pandemics. While belief in an afterlife is a cornerstone of many ancient and...
Digital Public Library of America
Dpla: Electrifying America
This primary source set explores the development, commercialization, and impact of electricity.
A&E Television
History.com: 6 Key Inventions by Thomas Edison
Edison's genius was improving on others' technologies and making them more practical for the general public. Thomas Edison applied for his first patent in 1868, when he was just 21 years old. The famous inventor's first brainchild was...
Country Studies US
Country Studies: Technology and Change
Brief historical description of the technology introduced in the U.S. after the Civil War and the changes new technology and inventions brought about.
Library of Congress
Loc: Everyday Mysteries: Who Invented Christmas Lights?
Do you love looking at Christmas lights? At this Library of Congress site, the question is answered on who invented the first strand of lights that now light up the Christmas season.
Other
Edison: His Life and Inventions: The Telephone, Motograph, and Microphone
This site offers the text of a book by Frank Dyer and Thomas Martin published in 1929 on the inventions of Thomas Edison. This particular page discusses Alexander Graham Bell's development of the telephone and the controversy over Thomas...
Other
The Birth of the Recording Industry
Here is a very interesting article about the birth of the recording industry. It primarily deals with the invention and improvement of the phonograph beginning in 1877.
Other
Creative Thinking With Thomas Edison
As a master inventor Thomas Edison used many techniques that helped him with his creative ideas. Learn how you can apply some of his techniques to yourself to aid you in your own creative inventiveness.
Florida State University
Florida State University: Magnet Lab: Electric Meter 1872
The invention of the light bulb quickly created the need to track people's electricity usage. In 1872, Samuel Gardiner built the first simple power meter: a lamp with an attached clock that recorded the time the light was on.
Ducksters
Ducksters: Thomas Edison: Inventor of the Light Bulb and Much More
Kids learn about Thomas Edison's biography. Invented many things including the light bulb and phonograph.
Ducksters
Ducksters: Kids Science: Uses of Electricity
Kid's learn about the uses electricity. Where is it used and how does it help us in our daily lives.
Read Works
Read Works: Edison Tried and Tried Again
[Free Registration/Login Required] This biographical passage shares information about Thomas Edison, inventor of the light bulb. This passage is a stand-alone curricular piece that reinforces essential reading skills and strategies and...
ClassFlow
Class Flow: Who Am I?
[Free Registration/Login Required] This is a review of famous inventors and people of the Second Industrial Revolution. Activotes questions are included. There is a citation for a United Streaming video clip at the end that could be...
TES Global
Tes: Best Beginning to a School Year Ever
[Free Registration/Login Required] This learning module engages students in goal setting. A Power Point feauturing "famous failures" and goal setting activities are included.
Science4Fun
Science4 Fun: Thomas Edison
Brief biographical sketch of Thomas Alva Edison, inventor of the light bulb and phonograph.
Science4Fun
Science4 Fun: Light Bulb
Learn about the early developments of the invention of the incandescent light bulb and Thomas Edison's development of the first practical light bulb.
Mocomi & Anibrain Digital Technologies
Mocomi: Thomas Edison Biography
Interesting biographical information, famous inventions, and quotes of Thomas Edison, one of America's greatest inventors.
Curated OER
Thomas Alva Edison Photo Courtesy General Electric
This site from The Great Idea Finder presents a lengthy biography of Thomas Edison, followed by a wealth of suggested resources including books, movies, and the Internet.
Curated OER
Thomas Edison
A photograph of Edison and an interview of Edison by Theodore Dreiser that display the inventor's convictions about progress in America.