Edison and Curiosity

[Craig Maier]

Curiosity Doesn't Take A Vacation The story goes that when Thomas Edison was a boy, he set himself a challenge: read every book in the Detroit Public Library. Years later, he recalled: "My refuge was the Detroit Public Library... I didn't read a few books. I read the library." Whether he literally read everything is open to debate, but what isn't debated is his curiosity. Science, history, Shakespeare…if it was on a shelf, Edison wanted to know what was inside. As summer begins, it's a fitting reminder that some of the most important learning happens outside a classroom. A beach read. A backyard project. A day at a museum. That's how many of Edison's best ideas began! Speaking of curiosity... Forbes Names Edison the Home Innovator of Last 250 Years

The story of America is, in many ways, a story of ideas. As the nation celebrates its 250th anniversary, Thomas Edison is once again finding himself in the spotlight. Recent features from Forbes, Smithsonian and more are taking a look at the inventor whose work helped shape the modern world. Explore the highlights here. Finding the Next Edison An IV system for disaster zones. A wearable translator for sign language. An AI fall detection system for the elderly. These were just some of the inventions presented at this year's Edison Pitch Contest, where students gathered at Edison's lab to pitch & inspire. Meet all of the winners here! Looking for a Summer Adventure? It's one thing to read about history…it's another to stand where it happened. If you're looking for a summer adventure, we'd recommend: Thomas Edison National Historical Park, West Orange: Explore the lab where Edison and his team turned ideas into inventions, then visit Glenmont, his home! NJ Hall of Fame at the American Dream: Meet NJ’s greatest innovators, athletes, artists, and leaders, including Edison, the Hall's first inductee. Don't miss the Fly Me to the Moon ride featuring Edison and his Model T. Battleship New Jersey, Camden: Explore America's most decorated battleship and its Edison family connection. Charles Edison played a key role in the creation of the ship as Secretary of the Navy. After all, curiosity is best rewarded when you follow it somewhere new. Have a curious summer, The Edison Foundations

[Craig Maier]

There is no expedient to which a man will not go to avoid the real labor of thinking.