|
The Edison Biotechnology Institute is named for Thomas Alva Edison, American visionary and inventor.
Since the age of ten when he built his first science laboratory in the basement of his family's home, Edison applied his determination, creativity and intellect to problems and possibilities which still have an impact on daily life.
Edison probably would have found biotechnology to be a fascinating endeavor, consistent with his own innovative and hard-working approach.
Although Thomas Edison was one of the most innovative men in recent history, throughout his school years he was far from a child prodigy. In fact, at the age of seven, he was removed from school and spent the duration of his education being taught by his mother. Being taught at home allowed him to have a one-on-one learning experience which was better tailored to his learning style. Thomas started his first job at the age of ten when he became a train boy on the Grand Trunk Railway selling newspapers which he designed and printed himself.
By the time Edison reached the age of forty, he had:
-
Been issued 563 of his 1,093 patents
- Established his own manufacturing company
- Established his own research laboratory
- Invented the phonograph and the first truly successful electric incandescent light bulb
Edison's two most famous inventions, the light bulb and phonograph, are models for his commitment to persistence and teamwork. His view of disasters as learning experiences allowed him to excel as an innovator. Said Edison about his early failures with storage battery experiments, "I haven't failed. I've found 10,000 ways that don't work." Thomas Edison felt that inventing was only the idea stage, the first step in a long process. The end came only when a patent was filed.
"Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work."
"If there is a better solution...find it."
"We are all happier when we look ahead with confidence."
"No experiments are useless."
"Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up."
"Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.... "
"If we did the things we are capable of, we would astound ourselves.... "
|
