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Reader questions and feedback on biographies of select individuals. Also refer to life story, success, motivation, advancement, career, achievements, history, Ron Kurtus, School for Champions. Copyright © Restrictions
Answers to Readers' Questions on Biographies:
Edison
The following 34 comments and questions have been sent in. They are listed according to date.
List of first 10 items
- Can I copy material for a report?
- Edison inspires me with my invention
- Seeking permission to use picture
- Need more info on Edison
- Questions about Thomas Alva Edison
- Where did Edison get his ideas?
- Edison couldn't make it these days
- Why did Thomas Edison become a scientist?
- Where did Thomas Edison die?
- Edison and using Mercury in his light bulb
Can I copy material for a report?
Question
September 30, 2008
Are these pages copyright? If they are, can I copy them for a report? I won't be selling the information to anybody.
Kathy - Hong Kong, China
16568
Answer
You can copy the material for a report. You should always state the resource of your material.
http://www.school-for-champions.com/science/gravity_equations_falling.htm
That is the proper academic practice. Best wishes for a good grade in your report.
Edison inspires me with my invention
Question
June 8, 2008
I am also an inventor of a first invention in the world in the medical field
I learned that you cannot make it on your own Edison had to work hard to achieve his goal and what kept him going was believing in himself be honest in what your are doing. I have venture in one o0f the most difficult fields ever but I will never give up also working day and night on projects that I believe can make a difference to mankind
Regards
Petro - Republic Of South Africa
16064
Answer
I am glad to hear that you are an inventor in the medical field. It is very true that it is difficult to make it on your own in developing your inventions and in selling them to the public. Edison was very hard working, but he also a good businessman who was able to get technical and financial support to develop his ideas.
You need to be able to get others interested and excited about the possibilities of your invention. You do not need to tell how your invention works, but you can tell others about what it will do and about its potential.
By working hard to achieve your dream, you can become a champion in your field. By trying to make a difference to mankind, you become a champion to that cause.
Best wishes in your success. I am sure you will do fine.
Seeking permission to use picture
Question
November 21, 2007
I'm writing from TV production company, currently working with Fuji TV of Japan for their weekly program 'Unbelievable'. The program features amazing stories from all around the world, they would like to feature Mr. Edison's inventions for upcoming episode.
For this, Fuji TV would like to present a photo of Mr. Edison as a young boy (teenager), and during my research I came across your website. Please let me know how I can get permission to use the photo of him (when he was selling newspapers) on your website.
Program information:
TV station-Fuji Television Network
Title: Unbelievable
Air date-December 2007, one time only, only in Japan
thank you for your time reading this, looking forward to hearing from you.
Best,
Keiko - USA
14823
Answer
You have permission from us to use the picture. This picture is in the Public Domain in the U.S. and it not copyrighted.
Best wishes in the success of your television show. Edison was a fascinating person.
Need more info on Edison
Question
July 23, 2007
I'm doing a Oral topic study on Thomas Edison and i need more information on these questions below.
Where were his inventions made from and who helped him when things got tricky?
What are the bad effects people had when the light bulb was invented?
How is Thomas Edison remembered today?
How has the light bulb evolved from when it was first invented to now?
If possible please answer these questions in detail
I appreciate your help
:)
Katie - New Zealand
14108
Answer
Edison had a laboratory in Menlo Park, New Jersey. He had a staff of technicians and engineers to help on his experiments and to take care of tedious tasks.
The first light bulbs were not frosted and hard on the eyes. They also did not last long. Many people did not have electricity at that time, and it was expensive to install. Once there were lights, people started staying up later. The new incandescent bulbs last longer and are comfortable to use. They are being replaced by more energy efficient bulbs.
Edison is remember as the of the greatest inventors or modern times.
Questions about Thomas Alva Edison
Question
June 12, 2007
Dear Writer,
Im doing a Oral Report on Thomas Edison. I have found a lot out of your website but.... Here is somethings that I would like to find out about Thomas Alva Edison.
~His sisters and brothers names and interest(all ready knowing that Thomas was the youngest of seven children)
~The most important invention that he ever invented.
~What connection he had with Alexander Graham Bell
~Some of his other interests other than poetry and reading.
Thanking You In Advanved
Leighton - Canada
13924
Answer
We have no information on Edison's brothers and sisters. He is most famous for developing the light bulb, so that probably is the most important. Our lesson explains the connection with Bell. They both were developing the telephone. We don't have information on his other interests.
Best wishes in your report.
Where did Edison get his ideas?
Question
April 4, 2007
I'm doing a report on Thomas Edison. I was wondering, do you know were Edison got his beliefs and ideas in inventing? Like where, when, how, and why Edison got them.
Anthony - USA
13491
Answer
Edison was very curious and always thinking of a better way to do something. Like his "invention" of the electric lightbulb came when he heard someone else had made one, but it didn't really work well. So, Edison experimented to make a better lightbulb that people could use.
Edison couldn't make it these days
Question
September 9, 2006
In the U.S. today, Edison may not have succeeded.
In the buying up of companies buying up other companies who in turn buy up other companies. The individual inventor has his back up against the wall.
He can either get a job working for the conglomerates or do as Edison, go into business for himself.
Both as almost impossible in the world of business in 2006.
Major corporations have too many creative people trying for an interview to exhibit their ideas, that most, if not all, have set up barriers not to be inundated by them.
This gives too much power to the so called Brokers, who in turn want to become your senior partner in order to have your invention presented to them.
Instead of acting as your rep for a fair reps percentage, they litterely become the owner of the product.
Raising money is a completely different road to travel. Starting up today requires too much capital.
People like me are dead in the water, we are drowning.
Geirge
George - USA
11882
Answer
I agree that it is very difficult for an inventor to get started in business these days. The biggest problem is that often an inventor has the technical skill but not the business or sales savvy. Edison was a salesman and a business man who also had an inventive mind. He was always looking for new ways to make money by improving on existing ideas or inventions. He did not invent the light bulb. He improved it and made it commercially viable.
There are venture capitalists who want to invest in an invention and then reap most of the money. There are others who want to steal others' inventions. The best route for an inventor is to find someone with sales ability and work as a team to get reasonable investors or to market their idea. Steve Jobs was the salesman, while Steve Wozniak was the technical guru that started Apple Computer. Bill Gates was the marketer and while Paul Allen was the technical expert in the beginning of Microsoft.
There are plenty of roadblocks to getting a good invention to market. Do not dwell on the roadblocks. Instead, simply beware of them and be clever enough to work around them.
Why did Thomas Edison become a scientist?
Question
July 15, 2006
why did thomas edison become a scientist?
did thomas edison have any childeren and how much did he have if he didn't why?
does he have a wife and is she alive?
did thomas edison believe in jesus and why?
why di he chose to become a scientist?
maria - Australia
11483
Answer
Edison was not a scientist but an inventor and businessman. His first wife died in 1884 and he later remarried. That wife is now dead.
Where did Thomas Edison die?
Question
March 29, 2006
where did thomas edison die?
please write back
kate - Australia
10679
Answer
He died in his Glenmont estate in West Orange, New Jersey.
Edison and using Mercury in his light bulb
Question
March 1, 2006
3/1/2006 10:14 PM
Look at Edison's life, yes the light bulb man, what he was exposed to during his many years of trying to invent the light bulb. Mercury is in the light bulb to prevent the tungsten filament from over heating in a gas form. Think of all he tried just to find the right companion to succeed with the longest lasting bulb. Tungsten by itself burns to quickly because it overheats and breaks. My point is he lived to 81 with all he smelt and was exposed to; I believe he was exposed to the right elements to prolong his life. Do I need to spell it out? What would he have used to try and make the tungsten burn longer? Did he use the Mercury many times, or over exposure to find the right amount making it last longer?
Inventor Jeff Tilly
Jeff - USA
10288
Answer
As far as I know Mercury was never used in an incandescent light bulb. Oxygen is removed to prevent the Tungsten from burning up quickly. Mercury is used in the fluorescent lights.
I am unaware whether Edison was exposed to much Mercury during his lifetime.
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