INTRODUCTION

PRIORtothis，nocomplete，authentic，andauthorizedrecordoftheworkofMr。Edison，duringanactivelife，hasbeengiventotheworld。Thatlife，ifthereisanythinginheredity，isveryfarfromfinished；andwhileitcontinuestherewillbenewachievement。

AninsistentlyexpresseddesireonthepartofthepublicforadefinitivebiographyofEdisonwasthereasonforthefollowingpages。Thepresentauthorsdeemthemselveshappyintheconfidencereposedinthem，andintheconstantassistancetheyhaveenjoyedfromMr。Edisonwhilepreparingthesepages，agreatmanyofwhicharealtogetherhisown。Thisco-operationinnosenserelievestheauthorsofresponsibilityastoanyoftheviewsorstatementsoftheirownthatthebookcontains。TheyhaverealizedtheextremereluctanceofMr。Edisontobemadethesubjectofanybiographyatall；whilehehasfeltthat，ifitmustbewritten，itwerebestdonebythehandsoffriendsandassociatesoflongstanding，whosejudgmentanddiscretionhecouldtrust，andwhoseintimateknowledgeofthefactswouldsavehimfrommisrepresentation。

Theauthorsofthebookareprofoundlyconsciousofthefactthattheextraordinaryperiodofelectricaldevelopmentembracedinithasbeenprolificofgreatmen。Theyhavenamedsomeofthem；buttherehasbeennoideaofsettingforthvariousachievementsorofascribingdistinctivemerits。Thistreatmentisdevotedtoonemanwhomhisfellow-citizenshavechosentoregardasinmanywaysrepresentativeoftheAmericanathisfinestfloweringinthefieldofinventionduringthenineteenthcentury。

ItisdesignedinthesepagestobringthereaderfacetofacewithEdison；toglanceataninterestingchildhoodandayouthfulperiodmarkedbyacapacityfordoingthings，andbyaninsatiablethirstforknowledge；

thentoaccompanyhimintothegreatcreativestretchoffortyyears，duringwhichhehasdonesomuch。Thisbookshowshimplungeddeeplyintoworkforwhichhehasalwayshadanincrediblecapacity，revealstheexerciseofhisunsurpassedinventiveability，hiskeenreasoningpowers，histenaciousmemory，hisfertilityofresource；followshimthroughaseriesofinnumerableexperiments，conductedmethodically，reachingoutlikeraysofsearch-lightintoalltheregionsofscienceandnature，andfinallyexhibitshimemergingtriumphantlyfromcountlessdifficultiesbearingwithhiminnewartsthefruitsofvictoriousstruggle。

Thesevolumesaimtobeabiographyratherthanahistoryofelectricity，buttheyhavehadtocoversomuchgeneralgroundindefiningtherelationsandcontributionsofEdisontotheelectricalarts，thattheyservetopresentapictureofthewholedevelopmenteffectedinthelastfiftyyears，themostfruitfulthatelectricityhasknown。Theefforthasbeenmadetoavoidtechniqueandabstrusephrases，butsomedegreeofexplanationhasbeenabsolutelynecessaryinregardtoeachgroupofinventions。ThetaskoftheauthorshasconsistedlargelyinsummarizingfairlythemethodsandprocessesemployedbyEdison；

andsomeideaofthedifficultiesencounteredbytheminsodoingmayberealizedfromthefactthatonebriefchapter，forexample，——thatonoremilling——

coversnineyearsofmostintenseapplicationandactivityonthepartoftheinventor。Itissomethinglikeexhibitingthegeologicalerasoftheearthinanoutlinelanternslide，toreduceanelaborateseriesofstrenuousexperimentsandavastvarietyofingeniousapparatustothespaceofafewhundredwords。

AgreatdealofthisnarrativeisgiveninMr。Edison'sownlanguage，fromoralorwrittenstatementsmadeinreplytoquestionsaddressedtohimwiththeobjectofsecuringaccuracy。Afurtherlargepartisbaseduponthepersonalcontributionsofmanyloyalassociates；anditisdesiredheretomakegratefulacknowledgmenttosuchcollaboratorsasMessrs。

SamuelInsull，E。H。Johnson，F。R。Upton，R。N

Dyer，S。B。Eaton，FrancisJehl，W。S。Andrews，W。

J。Jenks，W。J。Hammer，F。J。Sprague，W。S。Mallory，an，C。L。Clarke，andothers，withoutwhoseaidtheissuanceofthisbookwouldindeedhavebeenimpossible。Inparticular，itisdesiredtoacknowledgeindebtednesstoMr。W。H。Meadowcroftnotonlyforsubstantialaidintheliterarypartofthework，butforindefatigableefforttogroup，classify，andsummarizetheboundlessmaterialembodiedinEdison'snote-booksandmemorabiliaofallkindsnowkeptattheOrangelaboratory。AcknowledgmentmustalsobemadeofthecourtesyandassistanceofMrs。

Edison，andespeciallyoftheloanofmanyinterestingandrarephotographsfromherprivatecollection。

EDISON

HISLIFEANDINVENTIONS

CHAPTERI

THEAGEOFELECTRICITY

THEyear1847markedaperiodofgreatterritorialacquisitionbytheAmericanpeople，withincalculableadditionstotheiractualandpotentialwealth。

BytherationalcompromisewithEnglandinthedisputeovertheOregonregion，PresidentPolkhadsecuredduring1846，forundisturbedsettlement，threehundredthousandsquaremilesofforest，fertileland，andfisheries，includingthewholefairColumbiaValley。

Ouractive“policyofthePacific“datedfromthathour。WithswiftandclinchingsuccessioncamethemelodramaticMexicanWar，andFebruary，1848，sawanothervastterritorysouthofOregonandwestoftheRockyMountainsaddedbytreatytotheUnitedStates。ThusinabouteighteenmonthstherehadbeenpiecedintothenationaldomainforquickdevelopmentandexploitationaregionaslargeastheentireUnionofThirteenStatesatthecloseoftheWarofIndependence。Moreover，withinitsboundarieswasembracedallthegreatAmericangold-field，justontheeveofdiscovery，forMarshallhaddetectedtheshiningparticlesinthemill-raceatthefootoftheSierraNevadaninedaysbeforeMexicosignedawayherrightsinCaliforniaandinallthevague，remotehinterlandfacingCathayward。

EquallymomentouswerethetimesinEurope，wheretheattempttosecureopportunitiesofexpansionaswellaslargerlibertyfortheindividualtookquitedifferentform。Theoldabsolutistsystemofgovernmentwasfastbreakingup，andancientthronesweretottering。Theredlavaofdeeprevolutionaryfiresoozedupthroughmanyglowingcracksinthepoliticalcrust，andallthesocialstratawereshaken。Thatthewildoutburstsofinsurrectionmidwayinthefifthdecadefailedanddiedawaywasnotsurprising，forthesuperincumbentdepositsoftraditionandconventionwerethick。Buttheretrospectindicatesthatmanyreformsandpoliticalchangeswereaccomplished，althoughtheprocessinvolvedtheexileofnotafewardentspiritstoAmerica，tobecomeleadingstatesmen，inventors，journalists，andfinanciers。In1847，too，RussiabeganhertremendousmarcheastwardintoCentralAsia，justasFrancewassolidifyingherfirstgainsonthelittoralofnorthernAfrica。InEnglandthefiercefervoroftheChartistmovement，withitsviolentrhetoricastotherightsofman，wassoberingdownandpassingpervasivelyintonumerouspracticalschemesforsocialandpoliticalamelioration，constitutingintheirentiretyamostprofoundchangethroughouteverypartofthenationallife。

IntosuchtimesThomasAlvaEdisonwasborn，andhisrelationstothemandtotheeventsofthepastsixtyyearsarethesubjectofthisnarrative。Asidefromthepersonalinterestthatattachestothepicturesquecareer，sotypicallyAmerican，thereisabroaderaspectinwhichtheworkofthe“FranklinoftheNineteenthCentury“touchesthewelfareandprogressoftherace。Itisdifficultatanytimetodeterminetheeffectofanysingleinvention，andtheinvestigationbecomesmoredifficultwhereinventionsofthefirstclasshavebeencrowdeduponeachotherinrapidandbewilderingsuccession。ButitwillbeadmittedthatinEdisononedealswithacentralfigureofthegreatagethatsawtheinventionandintroductioninpracticalformofthetelegraph，thesubmarinecable，thetelephone，theelectriclight，theelectricrailway，theelectrictrolley-car，thestoragebattery，theelectricmotor，thephonograph，thewirelesstelegraph；andthattheinfluenceoftheseontheworld'saffairshasnotbeenexcelledatanytimebythatofanyothercorrespondingadvancesintheartsandsciences。

ThesepagesdealwithEdison'sshareinthegreatworkofthelasthalfcenturyinabridgingdistance，communicatingintelligence，lesseningtoil，improvingillumination，recordingforeverthehumanvoice；andonbehalfofinventivegeniusitmaybeurgedthatitsbeneficentresultsandgiftstomankindcomparewithanytobecreditedtostatesman，warrior，orcreativewriterofthesameperiod。

Viewedfromthestandpointofinventiveprogress，thefirsthalfofthenineteenthcenturyhadpassedveryprofitablywhenEdisonappeared——everyyearmarkedbysomenotableachievementintheartsandsciences，withpromiseofitsearlyandabundantfruitionincommerceandindustry。TherehadbeenexactlyfourdecadesofsteamnavigationonAmericanwaters。Railwaysweregrowingattherateofnearlyonethousandmilesannually。Gashadbecomefamiliarasameansofilluminationinlargecities。

Loomsandtoolsandprinting-presseswereeverywherebeingliberatedfromtheslowtoilofman-power。

Thefirstphotographshadbeentaken。Chloroform，nitrousoxidegas，andetherhadbeenplacedattheserviceofthephysicianinsavinglife，andtherevolver，guncotton，andnitroglycerineaddedtotheagenciesforslaughter。Newmetals，chemicals，andelementshadbecomeavailableinlargenumbers，gaseshadbeenliquefiedandsolidified，andtherangeofusefulheatandcoldindefinitelyextended。Thesafety-lamphadbeengiventotheminer，thecaissontothebridge-

builder，theanti-frictionmetaltothemechanicforbearings。Itwasalreadyknownhowtovulcanizerubber，andhowtogalvanizeiron。Theapplicationofmachineryintheharvest-fieldhadbegunwiththeembryonicreaper，whileboththebicycleandtheautomobilewereheraldedinprimitiveprototypes。Thegiganticexpansionoftheironandsteelindustrywasforeshadowedinthechangefromwoodtocoalinthesmeltingfurnaces。Thesewing-machinehadbroughtwithit，likethefrictionmatch，oneofthemostprofoundinfluencesinmodifyingdomesticlife，andmakingitdifferentfromthatofallprecedingtime。

Evenin1847fewofthesethingshadlosttheirnovelty，mostofthemwereintheearlierstagesofdevelopment。Butitiswhenweturntoelectricitythattherichvirginconditionofanillimitablenewkingdomofdiscoveryisseen。Perhapstheword“utilization“or“application“isbetterthandiscovery，forthen，asnow，anendlesswealthofphenomenanotedbyexperimentersfromGilberttoFranklinandFaradayawaitedtheinventionthatcouldalonerenderthemusefultomankind。Theeighteenthcentury，keenlycuriousandceaselesslyactiveinthisfascinatingfieldofinvestigation，hadnot，afterall，leftmuchofalegacyineitherprinciplesorappliances。Thelodestoneandthecompass；thefrictionalmachine；theLeydenjar；thenatureofconductorsandinsulators；theidentityofelectricityandthethunder-stormflash；theuseoflightning-rods；

thephysiologicaleffectsofanelectricalshock——theseconstitutedthebulkofthebequesttowhichphilosophersweretheonlyheirs。Pregnantwithpossibilitiesweremanyoftheobservationsthathadbeenrecorded。Butthesefewappliancesmadeupthemeagrekitoftoolswithwhichthenineteenthcenturyentereduponitstaskofacquiringtheartsandconveniencesnowsuchanintimatepartof“humannature'sdailyfood“thattheaverageAmericanto-daypaysmoreforhiselectricalservicethanhedoesforbread。

WiththefirstyearofthenewcenturycameVolta'sinventionofthechemicalbatteryasameansofproducingelectricity。Awell-knownItalianpicturerepresentsVoltaexhibitinghisapparatusbeforetheyoungconquerorNapoleon，thenravishingfromthePeninsulaitstreasureofancientartandfoundinganephemeralempire。Atsuchamomentthisgiftofde-

spoiledItalytotheworldwasanoblerevenge，settinginmotionincalculablebeneficentforcesandagencies。

Forthefirsttimemanhadcommandofasteadysupplyofelectricitywithouttoiloreffort。Theusefulresultsobtainablepreviouslyfromthecurrentofafrictionalmachinewerenotmuchgreaterthanthosetobederivedfromtheflightofarocket。Whilethefrictionalapplianceisstillemployedinmedicine，itrankswiththeflintaxeandthetinder-boxinindustrialobsolescence。Noartortradecouldbefoundedonit；nodiminutionofdailyworkorincreaseofdailycomfortcouldbesecuredwithit。Butthelittlebatterywithitsmetalplatesinaweaksolutionprovedaperennialreservoirofelectricalenergy，safeandcontrollable，fromwhichsuppliescouldbedrawnatwill。

Thatwhichwaswildhadbecomedomesticated；regularcropstooktheplaceofhaphazardgleaningsfrombrakeorprairie；thepossibilityofelectricalstarvationwasforeverleftbehind。

Immediatelynewprocessesofinestimablevaluerevealedthemselves；newmethodsweresuggested。

Almostalltheelectricalartsnowemployedmadetheirbeginningsinthenexttwenty-fiveyears，andwhilethemoreextensiveofthemdependto-dayonthedynamoforelectricalenergy，someofthemostimportantstillremaininloyalallegiancetotheoldersource。Thebatteryitselfsoonunderwentmodifications，andnewtypeswereevolved——thestorage，thedouble-fluid，andthedry。Variousanalogiesnextpointedtotheuseofheat，andthethermoelectriccellemerged，embodyingtheapplicationofflametothejunctionoftwodifferentmetals。Davy，ofthesafety-lamp，threwavolumeofcurrentacrossthegapbetweentwosticksofcharcoal，andthevoltaicarc，forerunnerofelectriclighting，sheditsbrightbeamsuponadazzledworld。Thedecompositionofwaterbyelectrolyticactionwasrecognizedandmadethebasisofcommunicatingatadistanceevenbeforethedaysoftheelectromagnet。Thetiesthatbindelectricityandmagnetismintwinshipofrelationandinteractionweredetected，andFaraday'sworkininductiongavetheworldatoncethedynamoandthemotor。“Hitchyourwagontoastar，“saidEmerson。Toallthecoal-fieldsandallthewaterfallsFaradayhaddirectlyhitchedthewheelsofindustry。Notonlywasitnowpossibletoconvertmechanicalenergyintoelectricitycheaplyandinillimitablequantities，butelectricityatonceshoweditsubiquitousavailabilityasamotivepower。Boatswerepropelledbyit，carswerehauled，andevenpapersprinted。Electroplatingbecameanart，andtelegraphysprangintoactivebeingonbothsidesoftheAtlantic。

AtthetimeEdisonwasborn，in1847，telegraphy，uponwhichhewastoleavesoindelibleanimprint，hadbarelystruggledintoacceptancebythepublic。

InEngland，WheatstoneandCookehadintroducedaponderousmagneticneedletelegraph。InAmerica，in1840，Morsehadtakenouthisfirstpatentonanelectromagnetictelegraph，theprincipleofwhichisdominatinginthearttothisday。Fouryearslaterthememorablemessage“WhathathGodwrought！”wassentbyyoungMissEllsworthoverhiscircuits，andincredulousWashingtonwasadvisedbywireoftheactionoftheDemocraticConventioninBaltimoreinnominatingPolk。By1847circuitshadbeenstrungbetweenWashingtonandNewYork，underprivateenterprise，theGovernmenthavingdeclinedtobuytheMorsesystemfor$100，000。Everythingwascrudeandprimitive。Thepolesweretwohundredfeetapartandcouldbarelyholdupawash-line。Theslim，bare，copperwiresnappedontheleastprovocation，andthecircuitwas“down“forthirty-sixdaysinthefirstsixmonths。Thelittleglass-knobinsulatorsmadeseductivetargetsforignorantsportsmen。Attemptstoinsulatethelinewirewerelimitedtocoatingitwithtarorsmearingitwithwaxforthebenefitofallthebeesintheneighborhood。Thefarthestwesternreachofthetelegraphlinesin1847wasPittsburg，withthree-

plyironwiremountedonsquareglassinsulatorswithalittlewoodenpentroofforprotection。Inthatoffice，whereAndrewCarnegiewasamessengerboy，themagnetsinusetoreceivethesignalssentwiththeaidofpowerfulnitric-acidbatteriesweighedasmuchasseventy-fivepoundsapiece。Butthebusinesswasfortunatelysmallattheoutset，untilthenewdevice，patronizedchieflybylottery-men，hadproveditsutility。Thencamethegreatoutburstofactivity。

Withinascoreofyearstelegraphwirescoveredthewholeoccupiedcountrywithanetwork，andthefirstgreatelectricalindustrywasapronouncedsuccess，yieldingtoitspioneersthefirstgreatharvestofelectricalfortunes。Ithadbeenasharpstruggleforbareexistence，duringwhichsuchamanasthefounderofCornellUniversityhadbeengladtogetbreakfastinNewYorkwithaquarter-dollarpickeduponBroadway。

CHAPTERII

EDISON'SPEDIGREE

THOMASALVAEDISONwasbornatMilanOhio，February11，1847。TheStatethatrivalsVirginiaasa“MotherofPresidents“hasevidentlyothertitlestodistinctionofthesamenature。ForpicturesquedetailitwouldnotbeeasytofindanystoryexcellingthatoftheEdisonfamilybeforeitreachedtheWesternReserve。ThestoryepitomizesAmericanidealism，restlessness，freedomofindividualopinion，andreadyadjustmenttothesurroundingconditionsofpioneerlife。TheancestralEdisonswhocameoverfromHolland，asnearlyascanbedetermined，in1730，weredescendantsofextensivemillersontheZuyderZee，andtookuppatentsoflandalongthePassaicRiver，NewJersey，closetothehomethatMr。EdisonestablishedintheOrangeMountainsahundredandsixtyyearslater。TheylandedatElizabethport，NewJersey，andfirstsettlednearCaldwellinthatState，wheresomegravesofthefamilymaystillbefound。PresidentClevelandwasborninthatquiethamlet。ItisacuriousfactthatintheEdisonfamilythepronunciationofthenamehasalwaysbeenwiththelong“e“sound，asitwouldnaturallybeintheDutchlanguage。Thefamilyprosperedandmusthaveenjoyedpublicconfidence，forwefindthenameofThomasEdison，asabankofficialonManhattanIsland，signedtoContinentalcurrencyin1778。

AccordingtothefamilyrecordsthisEdison，great-

grandfatherofThomasAlva，reachedtheextremeoldageof104years。Butallwasnotwell，and，ashashappenedsooftenbefore，thepoliticsoffatherandsonwereviolentlydifferent。TheLoyalistmovementthattooktoNovaScotiasomanyAmericansaftertheWarofIndependencecarriedwithitJohn，thesonofthisstalwartContinental。ThusitcameaboutthatSamuelEdison，sonofJohn，wasbornatDigby，NovaScotia，in1804。SevenyearslaterJohnEdisonwho，asaLoyalistorUnitedEmpireemigrant，hadbecomeentitledunderthelawsofCanadatoagrantofsixhundredacresofland，movedwestwardtotakepossessionofthisproperty。HemadehiswaythroughtheStateofNewYorkinwagonsdrawnbyoxentotheremoteandprimitivetownshipofBayfield，inUpperCanada，onLakeHuron。AlthoughthejourneyoccurredinbalmyJune，itwasnecessarilyattendedwithdifficultyandprivation；butthenewhomewassituatedingoodfarmingcountry，andonceagainthisinterestingnomadicfamilysettleddown。

JohnEdisonmovedfromBayfieldtoVienna，Ontario，onthenorthernbankofLakeErie。Mr。EdisonsuppliesaninterestingreminiscenceoftheoldmanandhisenvironmentinthoseearlyCanadiandays。

“WhenIwasfiveyearsoldIwastakenbymyfatherandmotheronavisittoVienna。WeweredrivenbycarriagefromMilan，Ohio，toarailroad，thentoaportonLakeErie，thencebyacanal-boatinatowofseveraltoPortBurwell，inCanada，acrossthelake，andfromtherewedrovetoVienna，ashortdistanceaway。Iremembermygrandfatherperfectlyasheappeared，at102yearsofage，whenhedied。Inthemiddleofthedayhesatunderalargetreeinfrontofthehousefacingawell-travelledroad。Hisheadwascoveredcompletelywithalargequantityofverywhitehair，andhechewedtobaccoincessantly，noddingtofriendsastheypassedby。Heusedaverylargecane，andwalkedfromthechairtothehouse，resentinganyassistance。Iviewedhimfromadistance，andcouldnevergetveryclosetohim。Iremembersomelargepipes，andespeciallyamolassesjug，atrunk，andseveralotherthingsthatcamefromHolland。“

JohnEdisonwaslong-lived，likehisfather，andreachedtheripeoldageof102，leavinghissonSamuelchargedwiththecareofthefamilydestinies，butwithnogreatburdenofwealth。LittleisknownoftheearlymanhoodofthisfatherofT。A。EdisonuntilwefindhimkeepingahotelatVienna，marryingaschool-teacherthere(MissNancyElliott，in1828)，andtakingalivelyshareinthetroublouspoliticsofthetime。Hewassixfeetinheight，ofgreatbodilyvigor，andofsuchpersonaldominanceofcharacterthathebecameacaptainoftheinsurgentforcesrallyingunderthebannersofPapineauandMackenzie。

TheopeningyearsofQueenVictoria'sreignwitnessedabelatedeffortinCanadatoemphasizetheprinciplethatthereshouldnotbetaxationwithoutrepresentation；andthisdescendantofthosewhohadlefttheUnitedStatesfromdisapprovalofsuchadoctrine，flunghimselfheadlongintoitssupport。

IthasbeensaidofEarlDurham，whopacifiedCanadaatthistimeandestablishedthepresentsystemofgovernment，thathemadeacountryandmarredacareer。Buttheimmediatemeasuresofrepressionenforcedbeforealiberalpolicywasadoptedweresharpandsevere，andSamuelEdisonalsofoundhisowncareermarredonCanadiansoilasoneresultoftheDurhamadministration。ExiletoBermudawithotherinsurgentswasnotsoattractiveastheperilsofaflighttotheUnitedStates。Averyhurrieddeparturewaseffectedinsecretfromthesceneoftrouble，andthereareromantictraditionsofhisthrillingjourneyofonehundredandeighty-twomilestowardsafety，madealmostentirelywithoutfoodorsleep，throughawildcountryinfestedwithIndiansofunfriendlydisposition。ThuswastheEdisonfamilyrepatriatedbyapicturesquepoliticalepisode，andthegreatinventorgivenabirthplaceonAmericansoil，justaswasBenjaminFranklinwhenhisfathercamefromEnglandtoBoston。SamuelEdisonleftbehindhim，however，inCanada，severalbrothers，allofwhomlivedtotheageofninetyormore，andfromwhomtherearedescendantsintheregion。

AftersomedesultorywanderingsforayearortwoalongtheshoresofLakeErie，amongtheprosperoustownsthenspringingup，thefamily，withitsCanadianhomeforfeited，andinquestofanotherresting-place，cametoMilan，Ohio，in1842。ThatprettylittlevillageofferedatthemomentmanyattractionsasapossibleChicago。TherailroadsystemofOhiowasstillinthefuture，buttheWesternReservehadalreadybecomeavastwheat-field，andhugequantitiesofgrainfromthecentralandnortherncountiessoughtshipmenttoEasternports。TheHuronRiver，emptyingintoLakeErie，wasnavigablewithinafewmilesofthevillage，andprovidedanadmirableoutlet。Largegranarieswereestablished，andprovedsosuccessfulthatlocalcapitalwastemptedintotheprojectofmakingatow-pathcanalfromLockwoodLandingallthewaytoMilanitself。ThequaintoldMoravianmissionandquondamIndiansettlementofonehundredinhabitantsfounditselfofasuddenoneofthegreatgrainportsoftheworld，andbiddingfairtorivalRussianOdessa。Anumberofgrainwarehouses，orprimitiveelevators，werebuiltalongthebankofthecanal，andtheproduceoftheregionpouredinimmediately，arrivinginwagonsdrawnbyfourorsixhorseswithloadsofahundredbushels。

Nofewerthansixhundredwagonscameclatteringin，andasmanyastwentysailvesselswereloadedwiththirty-fivethousandbushelsofgrain，duringasingleday。Thecanalwascapableofbeingnavigatedbycraftoffromtwohundredtotwohundredandfiftytonsburden，andthedemandforsuchvesselssoonledtothedevelopmentofabriskship-buildingindustry，forwhichtheabundantforestsoftheregionsuppliedthenecessarylumber。Anevidenceoftheactivityinthisdirectionisfurnishedbythefactthatsixrevenuecutterswerelaunchedatthisportinthesebriskdaysofitsprime。

SamuelEdison，versatile，buoyantoftemper，andeveroptimistic，wouldthusappeartohavepitchedhistentwithshrewdjudgment。Therewasplentyofoccupationreadytohishand，andmorethanoneenterprisereceivedhisattention；buthedevotedhisenergieschieflytothemakingofshingles，forwhichtherewasalargedemandlocallyandalongthelake。Canadianlumberwasusedprincipallyinthisindustry。Thewoodwasimportedin“bolts“

orpiecesthreefeetlong。Aboltmadetwoshingles；

itwassawnasunderbyhand，thensplitandshaved。

Nonebutfirst-classtimberwasused，andsuchshinglesoutlastedfarthosemadebymachinerywiththeircross-graincut。AhouseinMilan，onwhichsomeofthoseshingleswereputin1844，wasstillinexcellentconditionforty-twoyearslater。SamuelEdisondidwellatthisoccupation，andemployedseveralmen，buttherewereotheroutletsfromtimetotimeforhisbusinessactivityandspeculativedisposition。

Edison'smotherwasanattractiveandhighlyeducatedwoman，whoseinfluenceuponhisdispositionandintellecthasbeenprofoundandlasting。

ShewasborninChenangoCounty，NewYork，in1810，andwasthedaughteroftheRev。JohnElliott，aBaptistministeranddescendantofanoldRevolutionarysoldier，Capt。EbenezerElliott，ofScotchdescent。Theoldcaptainwasafineandpicturesquetype。HefoughtallthroughthelongWarofIndependence——sevenyears——andthenappearstohavesettleddownatStonington，Connecticut。There，atanyrate，hefoundhiswife，“grandmotherElliott，“

whowasMercyPeckham，daughterofaScotchQuaker。ThencametheresidenceinNewYorkState，withfinalremovaltoVienna，fortheoldsoldier，whiledrawinghispensionatBuffalo，livedinthelittleCanadiantown，andtheredied，over100yearsold。Thefamilywasevidentlyoneofconsiderablecultureanddeepreligiousfeeling，fortwoofMrs。Edison'sunclesandtwobrotherswerealsointhesameBaptistministry。AsayoungwomanshebecameateacherinthepublichighschoolatVienna，andthusmetherhusband，whowasresidingthere。Thefamilyneverconsistedofmorethanthreechildren，twoboysandagirl。AtraceoftheCanadianenvironmentisseeninthefactthatEdison'selderbrotherwasnamedWilliamPitt，afterthegreatEnglishstatesman。Bothhisbrotherandthesisterexhibitedconsiderableability。WilliamPittEdisonasayouthwassocleverwithhispencilthatitwasproposedtosendhimtoParisasanartstudent。

InlaterlifehewasmanagerofthelocalstreetrailwaylinesatPortHuron，Michigan，inwhichhewasheavilyinterested。Healsoownedagoodfarmnearthattown，andduringtheill-healthatthecloseofhislife，whencompelledtospendmuchofthetimeindoors，hedevotedhimselfalmostentirelytosketching。IthasbeennotedbyintimateobserversofThomasA。Edisonthatindiscussinganyprojectornewideahisfirstimpulseistotakeupanypieceofpaperavailableandmakedrawingsofit。Hisvoluminousnote-booksareamassofsketches。Mrs-TannieEdisonBailey，thesister，had，ontheotherhand，agreatdealofliteraryability，andspentmuchofhertimeinwriting。

Thegreatinventor，whoseironenduranceandsternwillhaveenabledhimtoweardownallhisassociatesbyworksustainedthrougharduousdaysandsleeplessnights，wasnotatallstrongasachild，andwasoffragileappearance。Hehadanabnormallylargebutwell-shapedhead，anditissaidthatthelocaldoctorsfearedhemighthavebraintrouble。

Infact，onaccountofhisassumeddelicacy，hewasnotallowedtogotoschoolforsomeyears，andevenwhenhedidattendforashorttimetheresultswerenotencouraging——hismotherbeinghotlyindignantuponhearingthattheteacherhadspokenofhimtoaninspectoras“addled。“Theyouthwas，indeed，fortunatefarbeyondtheordinaryinhavingamotheratonceloving，well-informed，andambitious，capableherself，fromherexperienceasateacher，ofundertakingandgivinghimaneducationbetterthancouldbesecuredinthelocalschoolsoftheday。

Certainitisthatunderthissimpleregimestudioushabitswereformedandatasteforliteraturedevelopedthathavelastedtothisday。IfevertherewasamanwhotoretheheartoutofbooksitisEdison，andwhathasoncebeenreadbyhimisneverforgottenifusefulorworthyofsubmissiontothetestofexperiment。

Buteventhusearlythestrongerloveofmechanicalprocessesandofprobingnaturalforcesmanifesteditself。Edisonhassaidthatheneversawastatementinanybookastosuchthingsthathedidnotinvoluntarilychallenge，andwishtodemonstrateaseitherrightorwrong。Asamerechildthebusyscenesofthecanalandthegrainwarehouseswereofconsuminginterest，buttheworkintheship-buildingyardshadanirresistiblefascination。Hisquestionsweresoceaselessandinnumerablethatthepenetratingcuriosityofanunusuallystrongmindwasregardedasdeficiencyinpowersofcomprehension，andthefatherhimself，amanofnomeaningenuityandability，reportsthatthechild，althoughcapableofreducinghimtoexhaustionbyendlessinquiries，wasoftenspokenofasratherwantinginordinaryacumen。

Thisapparentdulnessis，however，aquitecommonincidenttoyouthfulgenius。

Theconstructivetendenciesofthischildofwhomhisfathersaidoncethathehadneverhadanyboyhooddaysintheordinarysense，wereearlynotedinhisfondnessforbuildinglittleplankroadsoutofthedebrisoftheyardsandmills。Hisextraordinarilyretentivememorywasshowninhiseasyacquisitionofallthesongsofthelumbergangsandcanalmenbeforehewasfiveyearsold。Oneincidenttellshowhewasfoundonedayinthevillagesquarecopyinglaboriouslythesignsofthestores。Ahighlycharacteristiceventattheageofsixisdescribedbyhissister。Hehadnotedagoosesittingonhereggsandtheresult。Onedaysoonafter，hewasmissing。

By-and-by，afterananxioussearch，hisfatherfoundhimsittinginanesthehadmadeinthebarn，filledwithgoose-eggsandhens'eggshehadcollected，tryingtohatchthemout。

OneofMr。Edison'smostvividrecollectionsgoesbackto1850，whenasachildthreeoffouryearsoldhesawcampedinfrontofhishomesixcoveredwagons，“prairieschooners，“andwitnessedtheirdepartureforCalifornia。ThegreatexcitementoverthegolddiscoverieswasthusfeltinMilan，andthesewagons，ladenwithalltheworldlypossessionsoftheirowners，werewatchedoutofsightontheirlongjourneybythisfascinatedurchin，whoseowndiscoveriesinlateryearsweretotemptmanyotherargonautsintotheauriferousrealmsofelectricity。

Anothervividmemoryofthisperiodconcernshisfirstrealizationofthegrimmysteryofdeath。Hewentoffonedaywiththesonofthewealthiestmaninthetowntobatheinthecreek。Soonaftertheyenteredthewatertheotherboydisappeared。YoungEdisonwaitedaroundthespotforhalfanhourormore，andthen，asitwasgrowingdark，wenthomepuzzledandlonely，butsilentastotheoccurrence。

Abouttwohoursafterward，whenthemissingboywasbeingsearchedfor，amancametotheEdisonhometomakeanxiousinquiryofthecompanionwithwhomhehadlastbeenseen。Edisontoldallthecircumstanceswithapainfulsenseofbeinginsomewayimplicated。Thecreekwasatoncedragged，andthenthebodywasrecovered。

Edisonhadhimselfmorethanonenarrowescape。

Ofcoursehefellinthecanalandwasnearlydrowned；

fewboysinMilanworththeirsaltomittedthatperformance。Onanotheroccasionheencounteredamorenovelperilbyfallingintothepileofwheatinagrainelevatorandbeingalmostsmothered。Holdingtheendofaskate-strapforanotherladtoshortenwithanaxe，helostthetopofafinger。Firealsohaditsperils。Hebuiltafireinabarn，buttheflamesspreadsorapidlythat，althoughheescapedhimself，thebarnwaswhollydestroyed，andhewaspubliclywhippedinthevillagesquareasawarningtootheryouths。Equallywellrememberedisadangerousencounterwitharamthatattackedhimwhilehewasbusilyengageddiggingoutabumblebee'snestnearanorchardfence。Theanimalknockedhimagainstthefence，andwasabouttobutthimagainwhenhemanagedtodropoveronthesafesideandescape。Hewasbadlyhurtandbruised，andnosmallquantityofarnicawasneededforhiswounds。

MeantimelittleMilanhadreachedthezenithofitsprosperity，andallofasuddenhadbeendeprivedofitsflourishinggraintradebythenewColumbus，Sandusky&HockingRailroad；infact，theshortcanalwasoneofthelasteffortsofitskindinthiscountrytocompetewiththenewmeansoftransportation。

Thebellofthelocomotivewaseverywhereringingthedeath-knellofeffectivewaterhaulage，withsuchdireresultsthat，in1880，ofthe4468

milesofAmericanfreightcanal，thathadcost$214，000，000，nofewerthan1893mileshadbeenabandoned，andoftheremaining2575milesquitealargeproportionwasnotpayingexpenses。TheshortMilancanalsufferedwiththerest，andto-daylieswell-nighobliterated，hiddeninpartbyvegetablegardens，ameregrass-growndepressionatthefootofthewinding，shallowvalley。Otherrailroadsalsopreventedanyfurthercompetitionbythecanal，forabranchoftheWheeling&LakeErienowpassesthroughthevillage，whiletheLakeShore&MichiganSouthernrunsafewmilestothesouth。

Theownersofthecanalsoonhadoccasiontoregretthattheyhaddisdainedtheoverturesofenterprisingrailroadpromotersdesirousofreachingthevillage，andtheconsequencesofcommercialisolationrapidlymadethemselvesfelt。ItsoonbecameevidenttoSamuelEdisonandhiswifethatthecozybrickhomeonthebluffmustbegivenupandthestrugglewithfortuneresumedelsewhere。Theywerewell-to-do，however，andremoving，in1854，toPortHuron，Michigan，occupiedalargecolonialhousestandinginthemiddleofanoldGovernmentfortreservationoftenacresoverlookingthewideexpanseoftheSt。ClairRiverjustafteritleavesLakeHuron。

Itwasinmanywaysanidealhomestead，towardwhichthefamilyhasalwaysfeltthestrongestattachment，buttheassociationwithMilanhasneverwhollyceased。TheoldhouseinwhichEdisonwasbornisstilloccupied(in1910)byMr。S。O。Edison，ahalf-brotherofEdison'sfather，andamanofmarkedinventiveability。Hewasonceprominentintheiron-furnaceindustryofOhio，andwasforatimeassociatedintheirontradewiththefatherofthelatePresidentMcKinley。Amonghisinventionsmaybementionedamachineformakingfuelfromwheatstraw，andasmoke-consumingdevice。

ThisbirthplaceofEdisonremainstheplain，substantiallittlebrickhouseitwasoriginally：one-

storied，withroomsfinishedontheatticfloor。Beingbuiltonthehillside，itsbasementopensintotherearyard。Itwasatfirstheatedbymeansofopencoalgrates，whichmaynothavebeenaltogetheradequateinseverewinters，owingtothealtitudeandthenorth-

easternexposure，butalargefurnaceisoneofthemoremodernchanges。MilanitselfisnotmateriallyunlikethesmallerOhiotownsofitsowntimeorthoseoflatercreation，butthevenerableappearanceofthebigelm-treesthatfringethetrimlawnstellsofitsage。Itis，indeed，anextremelyneat，snuglittleplace，withwell-kepthomes，mostlyofframeconstruction，andflaggedstreetscrossingeachotheratrightangles。Therearenopoor——atleast，everybodyisapparentlywell-to-do。Whilealeisurelyatmospherepervadesthetown，fewidlersareseen。Someoftheresidentsareengagedinlocalbusiness；someareoccupiedinfarmingandgrapeculture；othersareemployedintheiron-worksnear-by，atNorwalk。

Thestoresandplacesofpublicresortaregatheredaboutthesquare，wherethereisplentyofroomforhitchingwhentheSaturdaytradingisdoneatthatpoint，atwhichperiodsthefitfulbustlerecallstheoldwheatdayswhenyoungEdisonranwithcuriosityamongthesixandeighthorseteamsthathadbroughtingrain。Thissquareisstillcoveredwithfineprimevalforesttrees，andhasatitscentreahandsomesoldiers'monumentoftheCivilWar，towhichfourpavedwalksconverge。Itisanaltogetherpleasantandunpretentioustown，whichcherisheswithnosmallamountofprideitsassociationwiththenameofThomasAlvaEdison。

InviewofEdison'sDutchdescent，itisrathersingulartofindhimwiththenameofAlva，fortheSpanishDukeofAlvawasnotoriouslytheworsttyranteverknowntotheLowCountries，andhisevildeedsoccupymanystirringpagesinMotley'sfamoushistory。Asamatteroffact，EdisonwasnamedafterCapt。AlvaBradley，anoldfriendofhisfather，andacelebratedship-ownerontheLakes。

CaptainBradleydiedafewyearsagoinwealth，whilehisoldassociate，withequalabilityformakingmoney，wasneverablelongtokeepit(differingagainfromtheRevolutionaryNewYorkbankerfromwhomhisson'sothername，“Thomas，“wastaken)。

CHAPTERIII

BOYHOODATPORTHURON，MICHIGAN

THEnewhomefoundbytheEdisonfamilyatPortHuron，whereAlvaspenthisbriefboyhoodbeforehebecameatelegraphoperatorandroamedthewholemiddleWestofthatperiod，wasunfortunatelydestroyedbyfirejustafterthecloseoftheCivilWar。AsmallerbutperhapsmorecomfortablehomewasthenbuiltbyEdison'sfatheronsomepropertyhehadboughtatthenear-byvillageofGratiot，andtherehismotherspenttheremainderofherlifeinconfirmedinvalidism，dyingin1871。

Hencethepicturesandpostalcardssoldlargelytosouvenir-huntersasthePortHuronhomedonotactuallyshowthatinoraroundwhichtheeventsnowreferredtotookplace。

Ithasbeenaromanceofpopularbiographers，baseduponthefactthatEdisonbeganhiscareerasanewsboy，toassumethattheseearlieryearswerespentinpovertyandprivation，asindeedtheyusuallyarebythe“newsies“whoswarmandshouttheirpapersinourlargecities。Whileitseemsapitytodestroythiserroneousidea，suggestiveofaheroicclimbfromthedepthstotheheights，nothingcouldbefurtherfromthetruth。SociallytheEdisonfamilystoodhighinPortHuronatatimewhentherewasrelativelymorewealthandgeneralactivitythanto-day。Thetowninitspristineprimewasagreatlumbercentre，andhummedwiththeindustryofnumeroussawmills。Anincrediblequantityoflumberwasmadethereyearlyuntiltheforestsnear-byvanishedandtheindustrywiththem。Thewealthofthecommunity，investedlargelyinthisbusinessandinalliedtransportationcompanies，wasaccumulatedrapidlyandasfreelyspentduringthosedaysofprosperityinSt。ClairCounty，bringingwithitahighstandardofdomesticcomfort。InallthistheEdisonssharedonequalterms。

Thus，contrarytothestoriesthathavebeensowidelypublished，theEdisons，whilenotrichbyanymeans，wereincomfortablecircumstances，withawell-stockedfarmandlargeorchardtodrawuponalsoforsustenance。SamuelEdison，onmovingtoPortHuron，becameadealeringrainandfeed，andgaveattentiontothatbusinessformanyyears。ButhewasalsoactiveinthelumberindustryintheSaginawdistrictandseveralotherthings。Itwasdifficultforamanofsuchmercurial，restlesstemperamenttostayconstanttoanyoneoccupation；

infact，hadhebeenlessvisionaryhewouldhavebeenmoreprosperous，butmightnothavehadasonsogiftedwithinsightandimagination。Oneinstanceoftheoptimisticvagarieswhichledhimincessantlytospendtimeandmoneyonprojectsthatwouldnothaveappealedtoamanlesssanguinewastheconstructiononhispropertyofawoodenobservationtoweroverahundredfeethigh，thetopofwhichwasreachedtoilsomelybywindingstairs，afterthepay-

mentoftwenty-fivecents。Itistruethatthetowercommandedaprettyviewbylandandwater，butColonelSellershimselfmighthaveprojectedthisenterpriseasapossiblesourceofsteadyincome。Atfirstfewvisitorspantedupthelongflightsofstepstothebreezyplatform。DuringthefirsttwomonthsEdison'sfathertookinthreedollars，andfeltextremelyblueovertheprospect，andtoyoungEdisonandhisrelativeswereleftthelonelypleasuresofthelookoutandtheenjoymentofthetelescopewithwhichitwasequipped。Butonefinedaytherecameanexcursionfromaninlandtowntoseethelake。Theypicnickedinthegrove，andsixhundredofthemwentupthetower。Afterthattherailroadcompanybegantoadvertisetheseexcursions，andthereceiptseachyearpaidfortheobservatory。

Itmightbethoughtthat，immersedinbusinessandpreoccupiedwithschemesofthischaracter，Mr。

Edisonwastoblamefortheneglectofhisson'seducation。Butthatwasnotthecase。Theconditionswerepeculiar。ItwasatthePortHuronpublicschoolthatEdisonreceivedalltheregularscholasticinstructionheeverenjoyed——justthreemonths。

Hemighthavespentthefulltermthere，but，asalreadynoted，histeacherhadfoundhim“addled。“

Hewasalways，accordingtohisownrecollection，atthefootoftheclass，andhadcomealmosttoregardhimselfasadunce，whilehisfatherentertainedvagueanxietiesastohisstupidity。ThetruthofthematterseemstobethatMrs。Edison，ateacherofuncommonabilityandforce，heldnoveryhighopinionoftheaveragepublic-schoolmethodsandresults，andwasbotheagertoundertaketheinstructionofhersonandambitiousforthefutureofaboywhomsheknewfrompedagogicexperiencetobereceptiveandthoughtfultoaveryunusualdegree。Withherhefoundstudyeasyandpleasant。Thequalityofcultureinthatsimplebutrefinedhome，aswellastheintellectualcharacterofthisyouthwithoutschooling，maybeinferredfromthefactthatbeforehehadreachedtheageoftwelvehehadread，withhismother'shelp，Gibbon'sDeclineandFalloftheRomanEmpire，Hume'sHistoryofEngland，Sears'HistoryoftheWorld，Burton'sAnatomyofMelancholy，andtheDictionaryofSciences；andhadevenattemptedtostrugglethroughNewton'sPrincipia，whosemathematicsweredecidedlybeyondbothteacherandstudent。Besides，Edison，likeFaraday，wasneveramathematician，andhashadlittlepersonaluseforarithmeticbeyondthatwhichiscalled“mental。“

Hesaidoncetoafriend：“Icanalwayshiresomemathematicians，buttheycan'thireme。“Hisfather，by-the-way，alwaysencouragedtheseliterarytastes，andpaidhimasmallsumforeachnewbookmastered。

Itwillbenotedthatfictionmakesnoshowinginthelist；butitwasnotaltogetherexcludedfromthehomelibrary，andEdisonhasallhislifeenjoyedit，particularlytheworksofsuchwritersasVictorHugo，afterwhom，becauseofhisenthusiasticadmiration——possiblyalsobecauseofhisimagination——hewasnicknamedbyhisfellow-operators，“VictorHugoEdison。“

Electricityatthatmomentcouldhavenoallureforayouthfulmind。Crudetelegraphyrepresentedwhatwasknownofitpractically，andaboutthatthebooksreadbyyoungEdisonwerenotredundantlyinformational。Evenhadthatnotbeenso，theinclinationsoftheboybarelytenyearsoldweretowardchemistry，andfiftyyearslaterthereisseennochangeofpredilection。ItsoundslikeheresytosaythatEdisonbecameanelectricianbychance，butitisthesoberfactthattothispre-eminentandbrilliantleaderinelectricalachievementescapeintothechemicaldomainstillhastheaspectofadelightfultruantholiday。OneoftheearlieststoriesabouthisboyhoodrelatestotheincidentwhenheinducedalademployedinthefamilytoswallowalargequantityofSeidlitzpowdersinthebeliefthatthegasesgeneratedwouldenablehimtofly。Theagoniesofthevictimattractedattention，andEdison'smothermarkedherdispleasurebyanapplicationoftheswitchkeptbehindtheoldSethThomas“grandfatherclock。“ThedisastrousresultofthisexperimentdidnotdiscourageEdisonatall，asheattributedfailuretotheladratherthantothemotivepower。InthecellaroftheEdisonhomesteadyoungAlvasoonaccumulatedachemicaloutfit，constitutingthefirstinalongseriesoflaboratories。Theword“laboratory“hadalwaysbeenassociatedwithalchemistsinthepast，butaswith“filament“thisuntutoredstriplingappliedaniconoclasticpracticabilitytoitlongbeforeherealizedthesignificanceofthenewdeparture。Goethe，inhislegendofFaust，showsthetraditionalorconventionalphilosopherinhislaboratory，anaged，tottering，gray-beardedinvestigator，whoonlybecomesyouthfulupondia-

bolicalintervention，andwouldstaysenilewithoutit。IntheEdisonlaboratorynosuchweirdtransformationhasbeennecessary，forthephilosopherhadyouth，fieryenergy，andagrimlypracticaldeterminationthatwouldsubmittonodenialofthegoalofsomethingofrealbenefittomankind。EdisonandFaustareindeedtheextremesofphilosophicthoughtandaccomplishment。

ThehomeatPortHuronthussawthefirstEdisonlaboratory。Theboybeganexperimentingwhenhewasabouttenorelevenyearsofage。HegotacopyofParker'sSchoolPhilosophy，anelementarybookonphysics，andabouteveryexperimentinithetried。

YoungAlva，or“Al，“ashewascalled，thusearlydisplayedhisgreatpassionforchemistry，andinthecellarofthehousehecollectednofewerthantwohundredbottles，gleanedinbasketsfromallpartsofthetown。Thesewerearrangedcarefullyonshelvesandalllabelled“Poison，“sothatnooneelsewouldhandleordisturbthem。Theycontainedthechemicalswithwhichhewasconstantlyexperimenting。

Toothersthisdiversionwasbothmysteriousandmeaningless，buthehadsoonbecomefamiliarwithallthechemicalsobtainableatthelocaldrugstores，andhadtestedtohissatisfactionmanyofthestatementsencounteredinhisscientificreading。Edisonhassaidthatsometimeshehaswonderedhowitwashedidnotbecomeananalyticalchemistinsteadofconcentratingonelectricity，forwhichhehadatfirstnogreatinclination。

Deprivedoftheuseofalargepartofhercellar，tiringofthe“mess“alwaystobefoundthere，andsomewhatfearfulofresults，hismotheroncetoldtheboytocleareverythingoutandrestoreorder。Thethoughtoflosingallhispossessionswasthecauseofsomuchardentdistressthathismotherrelented，butinsistedthathemustgetalockandkey，andkeeptheembryoniclaboratoryclosedupallthetimeexceptwhenhewasthere。Thiswasdone。Fromsuchworkcameanearlyfamiliaritywiththenatureofelectricalbatteriesandtheproductionofcurrentfromthem。Apparentlythegreaterpartofhissparetimewasspentinthecellar，forhedidnotsharetoanyextentinthesportsoftheboysoftheneighborhood，hischumandchiefcompanion，MichaelOates，beingaladofDutchorigin，manyyearsolder，whodidchoresaroundthehouse，andwhocouldberecruitedasageneralutilityFridayfortheexperimentsofthisyoungexplorer——suchasthatwiththeSeidlitzpowders。

Suchpursuitsastheseconsumedthescantpocket-

moneyoftheboyveryrapidly。Hewasnotinregularattendanceatschool，andhadreadallthebookswithinreach。Itwasthusheturnednewsboy，overcomingthereluctanceofhisparents，particularlythatofhismother，bypointingoutthathecouldbythismeansearnallhewantedforhisexperimentsandgetfreshreadingintheshapeofpapersandmagazinesfreeofcharge。Besides，hisleisurehoursinDetroithewouldbeabletospendatthepubliclibrary。Heapplied(in1859)fortheprivilegeofsellingnewspapersonthetrainsoftheGrandTrunkRailroad，betweenPortHuronandDetroit，andobtainedtheconcessionafterashortdelay，duringwhichhemadeanessayinhistaskofsellingnewspapers。

Edisonhad，asafact，alreadyhadsomecommercialexperiencefromtheageofeleven。Thetenacresofthereservationofferedanexcellentopportunityfortruck-farming，andtheversatileheadofthefamilycouldnotavoidtryinghisluckinthisbranchofwork。Alarge“marketgarden“waslaidout，inwhichEdisonworkedprettysteadilywiththehelpoftheDutchboy，MichaelOates——heoftheflyingexperiment。Theseboyshadahorseandsmallwagonintrustedtothem，andeverymorningintheseasontheywouldloadupwithonions，lettuce，peas，etc。，andgothroughthetown。

Asmuchas$600wasturnedovertoMrs。Edisoninoneyearfromthissource。Theboywasindefatigablebutnotaltogethercharmedwithagriculture。

“AfterawhileItiredofthiswork，ashoeingcorninahotsunisunattractive，andIdidnotwonderthatithadbuiltupcities。SoontheGrandTrunkRailroadwasextendedfromTorontotoPortHuron，atthefootofLakeHuron，andthencetoDetroit，ataboutthesametimetheWaroftheRebellionbrokeout。ByagreatamountofpersistenceIgotpermissionfrommymothertogoonthelocaltrainasanewsboy。ThelocaltrainfromPortHurontoDetroit，adistanceofsixty-threemiles，leftat7A。M。andarrivedagainat9。30P。M。Afterbeingonthetrainforseveralmonths，IstartedtwostoresinPortHuron——oneforperiodicals，andtheotherforvegetables，butter，andberriesintheseason。

Thesewereattendedbytwoboyswhosharedintheprofits。TheperiodicalstoreIsoonclosed，astheboyinchargecouldnotbetrusted。ThevegetablestoreIkeptupfornearlyayear。Aftertherailroadhadbeenopenedashorttime，theyputonanexpresswhichleftDetroitinthemorningandreturnedintheevening。Ireceivedpermissiontoputanewsboyonthistrain。Connectedwiththistrainwasacar，onepartforbaggageandtheotherpartforU。S。mail，butforalongtimeitwasnotused。EverymorningIhadtwolargebasketsofvegetablesfromtheDetroitmarketloadedinthemail-carandsenttoPortHuron，wheretheboywouldtakethemtothestore。Theyweremuchbetterthanthosegrownlocally，andsoldreadily。Ineverwasaskedtopayfreight，andtothisdaycannotexplainwhy，exceptthatIwassosmallandindustrious，andthenervetoappropriateaU。S。mail-cartodoafreefreightbusinesswassomonumental。However，Ikeptthisupforalongtime，andinadditionboughtbutterfromthefarmersalongtheline，andanimmenseamountofblackberriesintheseason。Iboughtwholesaleandatalowprice，andpermittedthewivesoftheengineersandtrainmentohavethebenefitofthediscount。Afterawhiletherewasadailyimmigranttrainputon。ThistraingenerallyhadfromseventotencoachesfilledalwayswithNorwegians，allboundforIowaandMinnesota。OnthesetrainsI

employedaboywhosoldbread，tobacco，andstickcandy。Asthewarprogressedthedailynewspapersalesbecameveryprofitable，andIgaveupthevegetablestore。“

Thehoursofthisoccupationwerelong，buttheworkwasnotparticularlyheavy，andEdisonsoonfoundopportunityforhisfavoriteavocation——chemicalexperimentation。HistrainleftPortHuronat7A。M。，andmadeitssouthwardtriptoDetroitinaboutthreehours。Thisgaveastayinthatcityfrom10A。M。untilthelateafternoon，whenthetrainleft，arrivingatPortHuronabout9。30P。M。Thetrainwasmadeupofthreecoaches——baggage，smoking，andordinarypassengeror“ladies。“Thebaggage-carwasdividedintothreecompartments——onefortrunksandpackages，oneforthemail，andoneforsmoking。Inthosedaysnousewasmadeofthesmoking-compartment，astherewasnoventilation，anditwasturnedovertoyoungEdison，whonotonlykeptpapersthereandhisstockofgoodsasa“candybutcher，“butsoonhaditequippedwithanextraordinaryvarietyofapparatus。Therewasplentyofleisureonthetwodailyruns，evenforanindustriousboy，andthushefoundtimetotransferhislaboratoryfromthecellarandre-establishitonthetrain。

Hisearningswerealsoexcellent——sogood，infact，thateightortendollarsadaywereoftentakenin，andonedollarwenteverydaytohismother。Thussupportinghimself，hefeltentitledtospendanyotherprofitleftoveronchemicalsandapparatus。Andspentitwas，forwithaccesstoDetroitanditslargestores，whereheboughthissupplies，andtothepubliclibrary，wherehecouldquenchhisthirstfortechnicalinformation，Edisongaveupallhissparetimeandmoneytochemistry。Surelythecountrycouldhavepresentedatthatmomentnomorestrikingexampleofthepassionatepursuitofknowledgeunderdifficultiesthanthisnewsboy，barelyfourteenyearsofage，withhisjarsandtest-tubesinstalledonarailwaybaggage-car。

Nordidthisamazingequipmentstopatbatteriesandbottles。Thesamelittlespaceafewfeetsquarewassoonconvertedbythisprecociousyouthintoanewspaperoffice。TheoutbreakoftheCivilWargaveagreatstimulustothedemandforallnewspapers，noticingwhichhebecameambitioustopublishalocaljournalofhisown，devotedtothenewsofthatsectionoftheGrandTrunkroad。Asmallprinting-pressthathadbeenusedforhotelbillsoffarewaspickedupinDetroit，andtypewasalsobought，someofitbeingplacedonthetrainsothatcompositioncouldgooninspellsofleisure。ToonesomechanicalinhistastesasEdison，itwasquiteeasytolearntherudimentsoftheprintingart，andthustheWeeklyHeraldcameintoexistence，ofwhichhewascompositor，pressman，editor，publisher，andnewsdealer。Onlyoneortwocopiesofthisjournalarenowdiscoverable，butitsappearancecanbejudgedfromthereducedfacsimilehereshown。Thethingwasindeedwelldoneastheworkofayouthshownbythedatetobelessthanfifteenyearsold。

Theliterarystyleisgood，thereareonlyafewtrivialslipsinspelling，andtheappreciationiskeenofwhatwouldbeinterestingnewsandgossip。Thepricewasthreecentsacopy，oreightcentsamonthforregularsubscribers，andthecirculationranuptooverfourhundredcopiesanissue。Thiswasbynomeanstheresultofmerepubliccuriosity，butattestedthevalueofthesheetasagenuinenewspaper，towhichmanypersonsintherailroadservicealongthelinewerewillingcontributors。Indeed，withtheaidoftherailwaytelegraph，Edisonwasoftenabletoprintlatenewsofimportance，oflocalorigin，thatthedistantregularpaperslikethoseofDetroit，whichhehandledasanewsboy，couldnotget。ItisnowonderthatthiscleverlittlesheetreceivedtheapprovalandpatronageoftheEnglishengineerStephensonwheninspectingtheGrandTrunksystem，andwasnotedbynolessdistinguishedacontemporarythantheLondonTimesasthefirstnewspaperintheworldtobeprintedonatraininmotion。Theyouthfulproprietorsometimesclearedasmuchastwentytothirtydollarsamonthfromthisuniquejournalisticenterprise。

Butallthisextraworkrequiredattention，andEdisonsolvedthedifficultyofattendingalsotothenewsboybusinessbytheemploymentofayoungfriend，whomhetrainedandtreatedliberallyasanunderstudy。Therewasoftenplentyofworkforbothintheearlydaysofthewar，whenthenewsofbattlecausedintenseexcitementandlargesalesofpapers。Edison，withnativeshrewdnessalreadysostrikinglydisplayed，wouldtelegraphthestationagentsandgetthemtobulletintheeventofthedayatthefront，sothatwheneachstationwasreachedtherewereeagerpurchaserswaiting。HerecallsinparticularthesensationcausedbythegreatbattleofShiloh，orPittsburgLanding，inApril，1862，inwhichbothGrantandShermanwereengaged，inwhichJohnstondied，andinwhichtherewasaghastlytotalof25，000killedandwounded。

Indescribinghisenterprisingactionthatday，EdisonsaysthatwhenhereachedDetroitthebulletin-

boardsofthenewspaperofficesweresurroundedwithdensecrowds，whichreadawestrickenthenewsthattherewere60，000killedandwounded，andthattheresultwasuncertain。“Iknewthatifthesameexcitementwasattainedatthevarioussmalltownsalongtheroad，andespeciallyatPortHuron，thesaleofpaperswouldbegreat。Ithenconceivedtheideaoftelegraphingthenewsahead，wenttotheoperatorinthedepot，andbygivinghimHarper'sWeeklyandsomeotherpapersforthreemonths，heagreedtotelegraphtoallthestationsthematteronthebulletin-board。

Ihurriedlycopiedit，andhesentit，requestingtheagentstodisplayitontheblackboardsusedforstatingthearrivalanddepartureoftrains。I

decidedthatinsteadoftheusualonehundredpapersIcouldsellonethousand；butnothavingsufficientmoneytopurchasethatnumber，Ideterminedinmydesperationtoseetheeditorhimselfandgetcredit。

ThegreatpaperatthattimewastheDetroitFreePress。Iwalkedintotheofficemarked“Editorial“

andtoldayoungmanthatIwantedtoseetheeditoronimportantbusiness——importanttome，anyway，Iwastakenintoanofficewherethereweretwomen，andIstatedwhatIhaddoneabouttelegraphing，andthatIwantedathousandpapers，butonlyhadmoneyforthreehundred，andIwantedcredit。Oneofthemenrefusedit，buttheothertoldthefirstspokesmantoletmehavethem。Thisman，Iafterwardlearned，wasWilburF。Storey，whosubsequentlyfoundedtheChicagoTimes，andbecamecelebratedinthenewspaperworld。BytheaidofanotherboyI

luggedthepaperstothetrainandstartedfoldingthem。Thefirststation，calledUtica，wasasmallonewhereIgenerallysoldtwopapers。Isawacrowdaheadontheplatform，andthoughtitsomeexcursion，butthemomentIlandedtherewasarushforme；thenIrealizedthatthetelegraphwasagreatinvention。Isoldthirty-fivepapersthere。ThenextstationwasMountClemens，nowawatering-place，butthenatownofaboutonethousand。Iusuallysoldsixtoeightpapersthere。IdecidedthatifI

foundacorrespondingcrowdthere，theonlythingtodotocorrectmylackofjudgmentinnotgettingmorepaperswastoraisethepricefromfivecentstoten。Thecrowdwasthere，andIraisedtheprice。Atthevarioustownstherewerecorrespondingcrowds。

IthadbeenmypracticeatPortHurontojumpfromthetrainatapointaboutone-fourthofamilefromthestation，wherethetraingenerallyslackenedspeed。Ihaddrawnseveralloadsofsandtothispointtojumpon，andhadbecomequiteexpert。ThelittleDutchboywiththehorsemetmeatthispoint。

WhenthewagonapproachedtheoutskirtsofthetownIwasmetbyalargecrowd。Ithenyelled：

`Twenty-fivecentsapiece，gentlemen！Ihaven'tenoughtogoaround！'Isoldallout，andmadewhattomethenwasanimmensesumofmoney。“

Suchepisodesasthisaddedmateriallytohisincome，butdidnotnecessarilyincreasehissavings，forhewasthen，asnow，anutterspendthriftsolongassomenewapparatusorsuppliesforexperimentcouldbehad。Infact，thelaboratoryonwheelssoonbecamecrowdedwithsuchequipment，mostcostlychemicalswereboughtontheinstalmentplan，andFresenius'QualitativeAnalysisservedasabasisforceaselesstestingandstudy。GeorgePullman，whothenhadasmallshopatDetroitandwasworkingonhissleeping-car，madeEdisonalotofwoodenapparatusforhischemicals，totheboy'sdelight。

Unfortunatelyasuddenchangecame，fraughtwithdisaster。Thetrain，runningonedayatthirtymilesanhouroverapieceofpoorlylaidtrack，wasthrownsuddenlyoutoftheperpendicularwithaviolentlurch，and，beforeEdisoncouldcatchit，astickofphosphoruswasjarredfromitsshelf，felltothefloor，andburstintoflame。Thecartookfire，andtheboy，indismay，wasstilltryingtoquenchtheblazewhentheconductor，aquick-temperedScotchman，whoactedalsoasbaggage-master，hastenedtothescenewithwaterandsavedhiscar。OnthearrivalatMountClemensstation，itsnextstop，Edisonandhisentireoutfit，laboratory，printing-plant，andall，werepromptlyejectedbytheenragedconductor，andthetrainthenmovedoff，leavinghimontheplatform，tearfulandindignantinthemidstofhisbelovedbutruinedpossessions。Itwaslynchlawofakind；butinviewoftheresponsibility，thisactionoftheconductorlaywellwithinhisrightsandduties。

ItwasthroughthisincidentthatEdisonacquiredthedeafnessthathaspersistedallthroughhislife，asevereboxontheearsfromthescorchedandangryconductorbeingthedirectcauseoftheinfirmity。

Althoughthisdeafnesswouldberegardedasagreatafflictionbymostpeople，andhasbroughtinitstrainotherseriousbaubles，Mr。Edisonhasalwaysregardeditphilosophically，andsaidaboutitrecently：

“Thisdeafnesshasbeenofgreatadvantagetomeinvariousways。Wheninatelegraphoffice，IcouldonlyheartheinstrumentdirectlyonthetableatwhichIsat，andunliketheotheroperators，Iwasnotbotheredbytheotherinstruments。Again，inexperimentingonthetelephone，IhadtoimprovethetransmittersoIcouldhearit。Thismadethetelephonecommercial，asthemagnetotelephonereceiverofBellwastooweaktobeusedasatransmittercommercially。Itwasthesamewiththephonograph。

Thegreatdefectofthatinstrumentwastherenderingoftheovertonesinmusic，andthehissingconsonantsinspeech。Iworkedoveroneyear，twentyhoursaday'Sundaysandall，togettheword`specie'perfectlyrecordedandreproducedonthephonograph。WhenthiswasdoneIknewthateverythingelsecouldbedonewhichwasafact。

Again，mynerveshavebeenpreservedintact。Broadwayisasquiettomeasacountryvillageistoapersonwithnormalhearing。“

Saddenedbutnotwhollydiscouraged，Edisonsoonreconstitutedhislaboratoryandprinting-officeathome，althoughonthepartofthefamilytherewassomefearandobjectionafterthisepisode，onthescoreoffire。ButEdisonpromisednottobringinanythingofadangerousnature。HedidnotceasethepublicationoftheWeeklyHerald。Onthecontrary，heprosperedinbothhisenterprisesuntilpersuadedbythe“printer'sdevil“intheofficeofthePortHuronCommercialtochangethecharacterofhisjournal，enlargeit，andissueitunderthenameofPaulPry，ahappydesignationforthisorkindredventuresinthedomainofsocietyjournalism。NocopiesofPaulPrycannowbefound，butitisknownthatitsstylewasdistinctlypersonal，thatgossipwasitsspecialty，andthatnosmalloffencewasgiventothepeoplewhosepeculiaritiesorpeccadilloeswerediscussedinafrankandbreezystylebythetwoboys。InoneinstancetheresentmentofthevictimofsuchunsoughtpublicitywassointensehelaidhandsonEdisonandpitchedthestartledyoungeditorintotheSt。ClairRiver。ThenameofthisviolatorofthefreedomofthepresswasthereafterexcludedstudiouslyfromthecolumnsofPaulPry，andtheincidentmayhavebeenoneofthosewhichsooncausedtheabandonmentofthepaper。

Edisonhadgreatzestinthiswork，andbutforthestronginfluencesinotherdirectionswouldprobablyhavecontinuedinthenewspaperfield，inwhichhewas，beyondquestion，theyoungestpublisherandeditoroftheday。

Beforeleavingthisperiodofhiscareer，itistobenotedthatitgaveEdisonmanyfavorableopportunities。

InDetroithecouldspendfrequenthoursinthepubliclibrary，anditismatterofrecordthathebeganhisliberalacquaintancewithitscontentsbygrapplingbravelywithacertainsectionandtryingtoreaditthroughconsecutively，shelfbyshelf，regardlessofsubject。Inawaythisiscuriouslysuggestiveoftheearnest，energeticmethodof“frontalattack“withwhichtheinventorhassinceaddressedhimselftosomanyproblemsintheartsandsciences。

TheGrandTrunkRailroadmachine-shopsatPortHuronwereagreatattractiontotheboy，whoappearstohavespentagooddealofhistimethere。Hewhowastohavemuchtodowiththeevolutionofthemodernelectriclocomotivewasfascinatedbythemechanismofthesteamlocomotive；andwheneverhecouldgetthechanceEdisonrodeinthecabwiththeengineerofhistrain。Hebecamethoroughlyfamiliarwiththeintricaciesoffire-box，boiler，valves，levers，andgears，andlikednothingbetterthantohandlethelocomotivehimselfduringtherun。Ononetrip，whentheengineerlayasleepwhilehiseagersubstitutepilotedthetrain，theboiler“primed，“

andadelugeoverwhelmedtheyoungdriver，whostucktohisposttilltherunandtheordealwereended。Possiblythishelpedtospoilalocomotiveengineer，butwenttomakeagreatmasterofthenewmotivepower。“SteamishalfanEnglishman，“saidEmerson。ThetemptationisstrongtosaythatworkadayelectricityishalfanAmerican。Edison'sownaccountoftheincidentisverylaughable：“TheenginewasoneofanumberleasedtotheGrandTrunkbytheChicago，Burlington&Quincy。Ithadbrightbrassbandsallover，thewoodworkbeautifullypainted，andeverythinghighlypolished，whichwasthecustomuptothetimeoldCommodoreVanderbiltstoppeditonhisroads。Afterrunningaboutfifteenmilesthefiremancouldn'tkeephiseyesopen(thiseventfollowedanall-nightdanceofthetrainmen'sfraternalorganization)，andheagreedtopermitmetoruntheengine。Itookcharge，reducingthespeedtoabouttwelvemilesanhour，andbroughtthetrainofsevencarstoherdestinationattheGrandTrunkjunctionsafely。Butsomethingoccurredwhichwasverymuchoutoftheordinary。Iwasverymuchworriedaboutthewater，andIknewthatifitgotlowtheboilerwaslikelytoexplode。Ihadn'tgonetwentymilesbeforeblackdampmudblewoutofthestackandcoveredeverypartoftheengine，includingmyself。Iwasabouttoawakenthefiremantofindoutthecauseofthiswhenitstopped。ThenIapproachedastationwherethefiremanalwayswentouttothecowcatcher，openedtheoil-cuponthesteam-

chest，andpouredoilin。Istartedtocarryouttheprocedurewhen，uponopeningtheoil-cup，thesteamrushedoutwithatremendousnoise，nearlyknockingmeofftheengine。Isucceededinclosingtheoil-cupandgotbackinthecab，andmadeupmymindthatshewouldpullthroughwithoutoil。Ilearnedafterwardthattheengineeralwaysshutoffsteamwhenthefiremanwentouttooil。ThispointIfailedtonotice。Mypowersofobservationwereverymuchimprovedafterthisoccurrence。JustbeforeIreachedthejunctionanotheroutpourofblackmudoccurred，andthewholeenginewasasight——somuchsothatwhenIpulledintotheyardeverybodyturnedtoseeit，laughingimmoderately。IfoundthereasonofthemudwasthatIcarriedsomuchwateritpassedoverintothestack，andthiswashedoutalltheaccumulatedsoot。“

OneafternoonaboutaweekbeforeChristmasEdison'strainjumpedthetracknearUtica，astationontheline。FouroldMichiganCentralcarswithrottensillscollapsedintheditchandwentalltopieces，distributingfigs，raisins，dates，andcandiesalloverthetrackandthevicinity。Hatingtoseesomuchwaste，Edisontriedtosaveallhecouldbyeatingitonthespot，butasaresult“ourfamilydoctorhadthetimeofhislifewithmeinthisconnection。“

AnabsurdincidentdescribedbyEdisonthrowsavividlightonthefree-and-easyconditionofearlyrailroadtravelandontheSouthernextravaganceofthetime。“In1860，justbeforethewarbrokeouttherecametothetrainoneafternoon，inDetroit，twofine-

lookingyoungmenaccompaniedbyacoloredservant。

TheyboughtticketsforPortHuron，theterminalpointforthetrain。AfterleavingthejunctionjustoutsideofDetroit，Ibroughtintheeveningpapers。WhenI

cameoppositethetwoyoungmen，oneofthemsaid：

`Boy，whathaveyougot？'Isaid：`Papers。'`Allright。'Hetookthemandthrewthemoutofthewindow，and，turningtothecoloredman，said：

`Nicodemus，paythisboy。'ItoldNicodemustheamount，andheopenedasatchelandpaidme。Thepassengersdidn'tknowwhattomakeofthetransaction。

Ireturnedwiththeillustratedpapersandmagazines。Thesewereseizedandthrownoutofthewindow，andIwastoldtogetmymoneyofNicodemus。IthenreturnedwithalltheoldmagazinesandnovelsIhadnotbeenabletosell，thinkingperhapsthiswouldbetoomuchforthem。Iwassmallandthin，andthelayerreachedabovemyhead，andwasallIcouldpossiblycarry。Ihadpreparedalist，andknewtheamountincasetheybitagain。

WhenIopenedthedoor，allthepassengersroaredwithlaughter。Iwalkedrightuptotheyoungmen。

OneaskedmewhatIhad。Isaid`Magazinesandnovels。'Hepromptlythrewthemoutofthewindow，andNicodemussettled。ThenIcameinwithcrackedhickorynuts，thenpop-cornballs，and，finally，molassescandy。Allwentoutofthewindow。IfeltlikeAlexandertheGreat！——Ihadnomorechance！I

hadsoldallIhad。FinallyIputaropetomytrunk，whichwasaboutthesizeofacarpenter'schest，andstartedtopullthisfromthebaggage-cartothepassenger-car。Itwasalmosttoomuchformystrength，butatlastIgotitinfrontofthosemen。

Ipulledoffmycoat，shoes，andhat，andlaidthemonthechest。Thenheasked：`Whathaveyougot，boy？'Isaid：`Everything，sir，thatIcansparethatisforsale。'Thepassengersfairlyjumpedwithlaughter。

Nicodemuspaidme$27forthislastsale，andthrewthewholeoutofthedoorintherearofthecar。ThesemenwerefromtheSouth，andIhavealwaysretainedasoftspotinmyheartforaSoutherngentleman。“

WhileEdisonwasanewsboyonthetrainarequestcametohimonedaytogototheofficeofE。B。Ward&Company，atthattimethelargestownersofsteamboatsontheGreatLakes。Thecaptainoftheirlargestboathaddiedsuddenly，andtheywantedamessagetakentoanothercaptainwholivedaboutfourteenmilesfromRidgewaystationontherailroad。Thiscaptainhadretired，takenupsomelumberland，andhadclearedpartofit。Edisonwasoffered$15byMr。Wardtogoandfetchhim，butasitwasawildcountryandwouldbedark，Edisonstoodoutfor$25，sothathecouldgetthecompanionshipofanotherlad。Thetermswereagreedto。EdisonarrivedatRidgewayat8。30P。M。，whenitwasrainingandasdarkasink。Gettinganotherboywithdifficultytovolunteer，helaunchedoutonhiserrandinthepitch-

blacknight。Thetwoboyscarriedlanterns，buttheroadwasaroughpaththroughdenseforest。Thecountrywaswild，anditwasausualoccurrencetoseedeer，bear，andcoonskinsnaileduponthesidesofhousestodry。Edisonhadreadaboutbears，butcouldn'trememberwhethertheyweredayornightprowlers。Thefarthertheywentthemoreapprehensivetheybecame，andeverystumpintheravishedforestlookedlikeabear。Theotherladproposedseekingsafetyupatree，butEdisondemurredonthepleathatbearscouldclimb，andthatthemessagemustbedeliveredthatnighttoenablethecaptaintocatchthemorningtrain。Firstonelanternwentout，thentheother。“Weleanedupagainstatreeandcried。IthoughtifIevergotoutofthatscrapealiveIwouldknowmoreaboutthehabitsofanimalsandeverythingelse，andbepreparedforallkindsofmischancewhenIundertookanenterprise。However，theintensedarknessdilatedthepupilsofoureyessoastomakethemverysensitive，andwecouldjustseeattimestheoutlinesoftheroad。Finally，justasafaintgleamofdaylightarrived，weenteredthecaptain'syardanddeliveredthemessage。InmywholelifeIneverspentsuchanightofhorrorasthis，butIgotagoodlesson。“

【推荐阅读】幽幽深宫，醒来一梦似千年，重生于下堂妃身躯中的她，将如何手刃仇人? 点击阅读