Thomas Alva Edison's birthday is coming up on Monday. He was born on February 11, 1847 in Milan, Ohio.
Although scarlet fever made him hard of hearing, he became one of America's most famous inventors.
Edison created inventions we still rely on today, including the electric light bulb.
He received many honors and awards, even the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor.
He said his secret of success was his ability to analyze a problem, work hard, and not give up.
Learn More About Thomas Alva Edison:
Biography
Timeline
Quotes
Resource and Activity Book
"Be courageous! Whatever setbacks America has encountered,
it has always emerged as a stronger and more prosperous nation....
Be brave as your fathers before you. Have faith and go forward."
"I never did anything worth doing entirely by accident....
Almost none of my inventions were derived in that manner.
They were achieved by having trained myself to be analytical
and to endure and tolerate hard work."
"Many of life's failures are people who did not realize
how close they were to success when they gave up."
~Thomas Alva Edison