Edison & Bell

 

Thomas Edison: The Man Who Lit Up the World

Thomas Edison was one of the greatest inventors in history. Born in 1847, he was curious about how things worked from a young age. Even though he didn’t do well in school, he loved to read and experiment.

Edison is best known for inventing the lightbulb. Before his invention, people used candles or gas lamps for light, which were not very safe. Edison wanted to create a safer and longer-lasting light source. After trying thousands of different materials, he finally made a light bulb that could glow for many hours.

But that wasn’t his only invention! Edison also helped improve the phonograph, which could record and play sound. He even worked on an early version of movies! Over his lifetime, he had over 1000 patents - a record of his many inventions.

Edison’s inventions changed the world. Today, because of his hard work, we can flip a switch and light up a room in seconds.

Alexander Graham Bell: the Man Who Helped us Talk

Alexander Graham Bell was born in 1847, the same year as Thomas Edison! He grew up in Scotland and was fascinated by the transmission of sound. His mother was deaf, and he wanted to help people hear better.

Bell’s most famous invention was the telephone. Before telephones, people had to send letters or use the telegraph, which took a long time. Bell wanted to create a way for people to talk to each other from far away. After many experiments, he and his assistant finally created a device that could carry voices over a wire. In 1876, he made the first phone call, saying, "Mr. Watson come here. I need you."

His inventions made communication much easier, and today, almost everyone has a phone because of his ideas.

THE QUESTIONS:

1. How were Thomas Edison and Alexander Graham Bell similar as inventors?
2. What problems did each inventor try to solve with their inventions?
3. How did their inventions change the world?
4. Which invention do you think is more important, the light bulb or the telephone? Why?
5. If you could invent something new, what would it be, and why?