Traces the life of Thomas Edison, one of the most influential inventors in American history, from his early childhood and education through his sources of inspiration and challenges faced, early successes, and the many inventions for which he is best known.

Shares a portrait of the inventor famed for such innovations as the incandescent lightbulb, batteries and movie cameras, exploring his life-changing achievements and perseverance in the face of numerous failures.

Examines the life of Thomas A. Edison, and describes his childhood and education, his laboratories in New Jersey and New York City, his early inventions--which includes the phonograph and the light bulb--and other related topics.

Describes the friendship between the two inventors and how Thomas Edison's advice to the young Henry Ford inspired Ford to work on his automobiles until he came up with an inexpensive, reliable version which became the Model T. Thomas Edison and Henry Ford started off as insatiably curious tinkerers. That curiosity led them to become inventors--with very different results. As Edison invented hit after commercial hit, gaining fame and fortune, Henry...