Update 9/30:
Thomas Edison (a.k.a. Frank Attwood) left some encouraging quotes in the comments. Click down to read in full. Thanks, Mr. Attwood!
Excerpt:
“I discovered in early life what a good thing a mother was. When she came out as my strong defender… I determined then that I would be worthy of her and show her that her confidence was not misplaced. She was so true, so sure of me.” ~Thomas Edison
* * *
Well, I saw a man (Frank Attwood) playing Thomas Edison for the Great American Speaker Series.
It made me thankful for 5 common things I used this week, attributable to Mr. Edison, because of his success in making many of his inventions practical and affordable.
1. Music in my house
Thanks to his work on inventing the phonograph, Thomas Edison made it possible for Americans to bring music into their homes. Can you imagine NOT having music readily available anywhere and everywhere? Records to 8-tracks to cassettes to iPods. Next? 
I flipped on my lamp several times this week before the sun came up for some early morning reading. Even though Edison did not invent the light bulb (a common misconception), he improved it so drastically and practically that he lit up America.
I can’t imagine going to sleep when the sun goes down (although it has a certain appeal) or having to depend on candles (okay, another certain appeal). I’m happy with flipping a switch.
3. Battery in my car (and a hundred other places)
I’ve spent quite a few hours in my car this week. Edison heavily invested in working on batteries. It paid off. The storage battery eventually became his most profitable product. And also helped his friend Henry Ford keep quite a few automobiles running.
4. Motion pictures
I don’t watch much TV and even fewer movies, but I have enjoyed laughing at Jay Leno a few nights since he’s back on TV. Thanks to Tom E. and his early moving pictures. They eventually led to TV, movies, home videos, YouTube, etc.
This isn’t his invention – credit goes straight to God. But I was inspired yesterday to have more patience after hearing the story that Mr. Edison told us...
Thomas said he asked lots and lots of questions as a child - so many that his 1st grade teacher grew tired of him. After only 3 months.
So Thomas’ mother schooled him at home instead. Through the years, she and his father provided multiple resources to satisfy Thomas’, certainly including patience.
Because I have a daughter who also asks lots and lots of questions, I’m thankful for yet another reminder to be more patient in answering them.
(For more blessings that others have experienced this week, check out the links on Susanne’s blog.)
13 comments:
What a great tribute to a great great man! We do have MUCH to be thankful to him for! AND to his parents for home-schooling him! I'll tell ya - my granddaughter asks questions like that ... bam bam bam... you've barely answered one before the next one comes! I don't remember any of my kids being like that. They asked - but not like she does! Maybe if we're patient our girls will be GREAT like Thomas Edison one day! :)
Wonderful post, Lisa! It is amazing to think of all the inventions we have enjoyed in our lifetime. It is hard to imagine what's coming next, who's today's Edison.
Thanks for mentioning patience. God I need that for next week at work! Hurray to inventors like Thomas Edison who made our lives easier today.
A daughter who asks lots of questions. I have one of those too! Thanks for the reminder on patience!
Amazing how many Thomas E. changed the world.
Oops that should say "how many Thomas E. inventions".
Wow! Thanks for this! I loved it! Great idea!
What would our life be like if Thomas' mother had not home schooled him? We cannot imagine, can we!
Have a great week!
Great post, Lisa! This post makes me think how important just one person can be in the scheme of things ... who knows who the next inventor that will change lives so drastically will be?
Great Five Lisa.
They are things we often just take for granted.
Happy Friday.
What a clever post this is my friend. Kudos to you. I love it. So much we take for granted from such a great man. Have a great Weekend :)
What a clever and fun Friday Favorites. I loved reading through it!
I missed you this week. I was out of town, but I love reading your interesting facts about TE. My grandson is the very same as your daughter and TE.
I wonder if his mom would ever consider home-schooling.
"I discovered in early life what a good thing a mother was. When she came out as my strong defender, when the school teacher called me 'addled,' I determined then that I would be worthy of her and show her that her confidence was not misplaced. She was so true, so sure of me. I felt that I had someone to live for, someone I must not disappoint. She was always kind and sympathetic and never seemed to misunderstand or misjudge me."
"My desire is to do everything within my power to free the people from drudgery, and create the largest measure of happiness and prosperity. If our work has widened the horizon of man's understanding and given even a little measure of happiness in this world, I am content." – Thomas Edison
Lisa, I am delighted that you received such a blessing from my show. I also have received a great blessing from reading your blog today.
Frank Attwood frank@attwoodasedison.com
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