Thomas Edison (1847–1931)

Question 1

When was Thomas Edison born?

Answer 1

February 11, 1847

Question 2

Where was Thomas Edison born?

Answer 2

Milan, Ohio

Question 3

How many siblings did Thomas Edison have?

Answer 3

He was the youngest of seven children.

Question 4

What caused Edison to be homeschooled?

Answer 4

He struggled in formal schooling due to hearing issues.

Question 5

What early job helped spark Edison’s interest in electrical science?

Answer 5

He worked as a telegraph operator.

Question 6

When did Thomas Edison die?

Answer 6

October 18, 1931

Question 7

What was Edison’s first major invention in sound recording?

Answer 7

Phonograph (1877)

Question 8

In what year did Edison invent the practical incandescent light bulb?

Answer 8

1879

Question 9

What device did Edison invent that laid the foundation for the film industry?

Answer 9

The motion picture camera (Kinetograph, 1891)

Question 10

Which of Edison’s companies played a key role in developing electrical power distribution?

Answer 10

Edison Electric Light Company (later General Electric)

Question 11

Approximately how many patents did Thomas Edison hold?

Answer 11

Over 1,000 patents

Question 12

What period did Edison live through, marked by technological advancements and industrial growth?

Answer 12

The Second Industrial Revolution

Question 13

How did the Second Industrial Revolution influence Edison’s work?

Answer 13

It provided demand and resources for industrial and technological innovation.

Question 14

Which of Edison’s inventions revolutionized modern cities and industries?

Answer 14

The incandescent light bulb and electrical power distribution system

Question 15

Which Edison invention laid the foundation for the music industry?

Answer 15

The phonograph

Question 16

How did Edison contribute to the birth of the modern entertainment industry?

Answer 16

Through his innovations in motion picture technology

Question 17

What is Thomas Edison often called?

Answer 17

The Wizard of Menlo Park

Question 18

What major electric power dispute was Edison involved in?

Answer 18

The War of Currents

Question 19

What type of electrical current did Edison advocate for?

Answer 19

Direct current (DC)

Question 20

Who was Edison’s main rival during the War of Currents?

Answer 20

Nikola Tesla

Question 21

What was Tesla’s preferred electrical system?

Answer 21

Alternating current (AC)

Question 22

Which electrical current system eventually became dominant?

Answer 22

Alternating current (AC)

Question 23

What controversial demonstration did Edison use to discredit Tesla’s AC system?

Answer 23

He staged the electrocution of animals to show AC’s dangers.

Question 24

How many hours a day did Edison reportedly work?

Answer 24

Up to 18 hours a day

Question 25

What famous quote illustrates Edison’s belief in hard work?

Answer 25

‘Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration.’

Question 26

What personal challenge did Edison face throughout his life?

Answer 26

He was nearly deaf.

Question 27

Which failed invention cost Edison financially?

Answer 27

A domestic mining machine for extracting iron from low-grade ore.

Question 28

What company founded by Edison remains a global leader in technology today?

Answer 28

General Electric (GE)

Question 29

What practical joke did Edison play on his friend Henry Ford?

Answer 29

He gave him a chair with an explosive charge that made Ford fall off.