BENEFACTOR, THE. [LIFE OF THOMAS A. EDISON. PART II Part 2
Description
The original catalog description provided by the Ford Motor Company reads as follows: “While Edison was disheartened at this piece of lynch law, he was the more determined to win.” Boy selling newspapers at station. “As a reward for saving the life of the station master’s child --” Boy pulling child from railroad tracks, train passing, being congratulated by men. “-- he was made telegraph operator.” Station master teaching boy how to operate telegraph. “While working as a telegraph operator, he took advantage of the opportunity to experiment with electrical batteries and instruments --” Young man working at table. “-- often working eighteen hours a day.” Young man working electrical experiment at table. “He tests the power of his new battery.” Young man placing wire in front of hole in base of wall, rat emerging, touching wire, being electrocuted. “Later while experimenting with an induction coil, Edison came in contact with electricity, realizing its power.” Young man being shocked while experimenting at bench. “Young Edison decided that his friends should know something of his experience.” Young man wiring sink, sprinkling water on floor - man walking in, touching faucet, jumping back. “‘Boys, come in here! The faucet is red hot.’” Man calling other workers - young man breaking electrical connection. ‘“Go touch the faucet, you’ll find I’m not crazy.’” Other men touching sink, not receiving shock - first man touching it, receiving shock, other men receiving shocks. “‘I am crazy, am I.’” Young man hiding behind door laughing. “Edison continues his experiments and invents improved telegraph apparatus, attracting the attention of noted men, who form the first firm of electrical engineers in the world.” Young man demonstrating telegraph apparatus to another man. “‘Mr. Edison, at ten o’clock tomorrow morning all papers of incorporation will be ready for signing in my office.”‘ Young man and another man talking, man leaving. “The next day.” Young man sitting at table with two other men, signing papers - close-up of contract. “Thus, Edison at the age of twenty-two became a manufacturer of electrical goods --” Young man with others in laboratory. “-- and for some time studied the arc light, then in existence.” Young man looking at arc light. “He concluded that the greatest benefit to the greatest number was not the arc lamp, but something else.” Young man looking at arc light. “Edison having sold his holdings in the telephone and telegraph instrument business, turns his attention to electric lighting.” Young man sitting at table looking at book. “A specimen of an early small type electric arc lamp, which was a failure.” Hand holding lamp. “An electric lamp which will give light by incandescence is the solution of the problem.” Young man studying bulb at table. “Scientists said that such a lamp was impossible, but Edison in 1877 challenged the opinion.” Men working in laboratory. “He made his first filament.” Workers in laboratory - young man cutting strip from piece of paper. “Lampblack was necessary for carbon.” Collecting lampblack by holding pieces of paper over smoking kerosene lamp - young man mixing lampblack with tar, drawing strip of twisted paper through mixture, looking at coated fiber through microscope - telling assistant how to make a filament. “The filament was then sealed into a glass bulb.” Young man and assistant preparing experiment. “-- and the current turned on.” Bulb glowing, going out - young man writing in book. “The paper filament a failure, he next tried metal.” Workers preparing experiment with metal. “Part 3 to follow.” [1923]
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