The Wizard Of Menlo Park Essay

The Wizard of Menlo Park Thomas Alva Edison, also known as the Wizard of Menlo Park, allowed for there to be even when the sun stopped shining at night, invented an item that created one of the most influential industries in today’s world, changed the way people listen to music, and allowed electricity to be distributed to homes and offices all across the world. Edison’s inventions helped revolutionize nineteenth century America for numerous generations afterwards. Without his contributions, society may have never been gifted with the light bulb, movie camera, record player, alkaline battery and proper electrical distribution to homes. Edison is truly the most revolutionary figure in American history. Before the invention of the light bulb, at night most homes were lit by the dim light of candles or oil lamps. “The electric light wasn’t Thomas Edison’s first invention, nor was he the first to create an alternative to gaslight”(Latson). Electric lights had already been in use in the form of street lamps, but Edison’s light bulb was the most affordable and practical for lighting homes. After thousands of failed attempts Edison finally succeeded in finding a filament for the bulb, carbonized bamboo. Thanks to the invention of affordable lighting in homes and businesses America was able to evolve. One of the largest changes was that of the American people’s sleeping patterns. “This sleeping pattern is called segmented sleep. Historical documents across cultures show plenty…