10 Fun Facts About Thomas Edison

Thomas Edison invented more than 1,000 different inventions throughout his career.

Edison’s most famous invention is the practical incandescent electric light bulb.

Edison held a world record of 1,093 patents, more than any other individual in history.

Edison’s favorite invention was the phonograph, which he believed had the most potential for the future.

Edison was a firm believer in the power of hard work, famously saying, Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration.

Edison’s first successful invention was the stock ticker, which allowed for faster communication between stock exchanges.

Edison’s favorite meal was tomato soup and toasted cheese sandwiches.

Edison was known for his obsession with working long hours, often spending 18 hours a day in his lab.

Edison had a pet mongoose named Emily that he often brought to his laboratory.

Edison was deaf in one ear due to a childhood incident where he was pulled onto a train by his ears.

Edison’s favorite hobby was fishing, and he often spent weekends fishing in the rivers near his laboratory.

Edison’s greatest regret was not inventing the electric car, as he believed it would have a major impact on the environment.

Edison had a photographic memory and could recite entire books after reading them once.

Edison was frequently seen wearing a suit and tie, even when working in his lab.

Edison’s laboratory in Menlo Park, New Jersey, was known as the Invention Factory because of the constant flow of new inventions.

10 Fun Facts About Thomas Edison part 2

Edison once conducted an experiment to electrocute an elephant named Topsy to demonstrate the dangers of alternating current.

Edison was an avid reader and had a personal library with over 10,000 books.

Edison’s middle name was Alva, named after his maternal grandfather.

Edison was fascinated by the principles of sound and conducted numerous experiments in the field of acoustics.

Edison’s favorite color was blue, and he often wore blue-tinted glasses to reduce glare while working.

Edison had a collection of over 5,000 different types of plants at his home in Fort Myers, Florida.

Edison was afraid of the dark and always slept with a nightlight on.

Edison’s favorite pastime was playing billiards, and he had a billiards table in his laboratory.

Edison’s first wife, Mary Stilwell, died from a brain tumor at the age of

Edison’s second wife, Mina Miller, was 19 years younger than him and they had three children together.

Edison’s favorite drink was coffee, and he allegedly drank up to 40 cups a day.

Edison often took power naps during the day to recharge his energy.

Edison had a close friendship with Henry Ford and they often went on camping trips together.

Edison’s favorite musical instrument was the violin, but he never learned to play it.

Edison was a fervent advocate for the construction of the Panama Canal.

Edison once conducted a series of unsuccessful experiments to create a machine that could communicate with the dead.

Edison had a collection of over 10,000 phonograph records, which he often used for entertainment during his experiments.

Edison had a rivalry with inventor Nikola Tesla over the use of direct current versus alternating current for electricity.

Edison was a vegetarian and believed that a plant-based diet was more conducive to intellectual thinking.

Edison’s favorite dessert was apple pie with vanilla ice cream.

Edison once electrocuted himself while conducting an experiment, resulting in temporary paralysis and memory loss.

Edison was homeschooled by his mother until the age of 12 when he began working on a train selling candy and newspapers.

Edison was an honorary member of the Acoustical Society of America, recognizing his contributions to the field of sound.

Edison was skilled in Morse code and often communicated with his assistants using telegraph signals.

Edison’s laboratory in West Orange, New Jersey, was one of the first buildings to have its own electric lighting system.

Edison’s favorite book was Goethe’s Faust and he often quoted lines from it in his correspondence.

Edison had an extensive collection of rare minerals and gemstones, which he often used in his inventions.

Edison had a fear of heights and never rode in an elevator.

Edison’s last words were reportedly, It is very beautiful over there, referring to the afterlife.

Edison’s legacy is still celebrated today, with numerous museums and landmarks dedicated to his life and inventions.