I'm watching a documentary about Thomas Edison... WOW

[Anonymous]

He's pretty much responsible for the way we live today. For modernity. Electric light, sound (captured re phonograph). Think about how ephemeral those thing were before... light and sound. He captured them for our daily use. I mean, I knew this, but this is really hitting it home.

It's on WETA, Ch 26... American Experience.

[Anonymous]

Weren't there other inventors who accused him of stealing some of his more famous inventions? And there is something to their stories?

[Anonymous]

He was brilliant. Truly one of the great American minds of that era.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Weren't there other inventors who accused him of stealing some of his more famous inventions? And there is something to their stories?

They all competed voraciously in those times, and all accused each other. That time was the Age of Invention. Alexander Graham Bell (telephone) was one of his chief competitors. They wer both visionaries, geniuses.

[Anonymous]

*were

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Weren't there other inventors who accused him of stealing some of his more famous inventions? And there is something to their stories?

They all competed voraciously in those times, and all accused each other. That time was the Age of Invention. Alexander Graham Bell (telephone) was one of his chief competitors. They wer both visionaries, geniuses.

I like the imagery.

[Anonymous]

Yes, kerosene lamps and candles were dirty and dangerous, and did not throw light well. When it was dark, it was sleeping time. That was a primordial limitation on humanity until electric light.

Sound, well, you sang a song once, it was over until you sang it again. You gave a speech, it could never be listened to again unless you actually gave it again. Until the phonograph.

Jesus Christ, if you really think about it, it's absolutely profound.

[Anonymous]

But what about Tesla? Does the documentary talk about how Edison was a total jerk to Tesla?

For a totally peer-reviewed and serious view on their relationship, see this: http://theoatmeal.com/comics/tesla

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:But what about Tesla? Does the documentary talk about how Edison was a total jerk to Tesla?

For a totally peer-reviewed and serious view on their relationship, see this: http://theoatmeal.com/comics/tesla

Yes, it's talking about AC v DC current now, but it's attributing AC to Westinghouse. It seems that Tesla was horrible at obtaining patents. That was not wise.

[Anonymous]

American Experience is incredible. Edison is fascinating but they made an interesting documentary about Tupperware of all things. The first one I saw was how Herbert Hoover, pre-presidency, helped Russia during a horrible famine. I have DVR'd all of them ever since.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:American Experience is incredible. Edison is fascinating but they made an interesting documentary about Tupperware of all things. The first one I saw was how Herbert Hoover, pre-presidency, helped Russia during a horrible famine. I have DVR'd all of them ever since.

OP here. Yes, it's absolutely my favorite show. I've learned so much. Loved the one about Hoover too. No one really knows about that (his famine efforts). I'm a history geek, but I really think anyone would enjoy watching A.E.

[Anonymous]

Tesla was the real genius, but his horrible business skills ensured that everyone else got the credit for his work.

[Anonymous]

Do you think they had an AAP program back then ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Tesla was the real genius, but his horrible business skills ensured that everyone else got the credit for his work.

Yes, Edison was a great business mind as well as a marketing genius. As I watched, I was struck by how similar Steve Jobs was to Edison, although his inventions were not quite as profound.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you think they had an AAP program back then ?

OMG. I just spit out my coffee! LOL.