"We don't know a millionth of one percent about anything." ~ Thomas Edison
On this day in 1880 one-in-a-million inventor Thomas Alva Edison (1847-1931) patented the electric light bulb, giving light to the world.
"Nearly every man who develops an idea works it up to the point where it looks impossible, and then he gets discouraged. That's not the place to become discouraged," Edison believed.
From his laboratory at Menlo Park, New Jersey, he improved Alexander Graham Bell's telephone and created the phonograph before developing the incandescent lamp. Edison tested about 6,000 organic fibers to find the metal filament and selected the Japanese bamboo as the best.
"The first requisite for success is the ability to apply your physical and mental energies to one problem incessantly without growing weary," said the Wizard of Menlo Park, known for his tenacity and focus. This genius changed the world.
"There's a way to do it better," urged the hard-working Edison. "Find it."
More EDISON Quotations
There is still so much to learn.