Title
The Wizard of Menlo Park: How Thomas Alva Edison Invented the Modern World,New
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Thomas Edisons greatest invention? His own fame.At the height of his fame Thomas Alva Edison was hailed as the Napoleon of invention and blazed in the public imagination as a virtual demigod. Starting with the first public demonstrations of the phonograph in 1878 and extending through the development of incandescent light and the first motion picture cameras, Edisons name became emblematic of all the wonder and promise of the emerging age of technological marvels.But as Randall Stross makes clear in this critical biography of the man who is arguably the most globally famous of all Americans, Thomas Edisons greatest invention may have been his own celebrity. Edison was certainly a technical genius, but Stross excavates the man from layers of mythmaking and separates his true achievements from his almost equally colossal failures. How much credit should Edison receive for the various inventions that have popularly been attributed to himand how many of them resulted from both the inspiration and the perspiration of his rivals and even his own assistants?This bold reassessment of Edisons life and career answers this and many other important questions while telling the story of how he came upon his most famous inventions as a young man and spent the remainder of his long life trying to conjure similar success. We also meet his partners and competitors, presidents and entertainers, his close friend Henry Ford, the wives who competed with his work for his attention, and the children who tried to thrive in his shadowall providing a fuller view of Edisons life and times than has ever been offered before. The Wizard of Menlo Park reveals not only how Edison worked, but how he managed his own fame, becoming the first great celebrity of the modern age.
⚠️ WARNING (California Proposition 65):
This product may contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
For more information, please visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
- Q: What is 'The Wizard of Menlo Park' about? A: The book explores the life of Thomas Edison, focusing on how he became a celebrity and the impact of his inventions on modern society. It separates his true achievements from the myths surrounding his fame.
- Q: Who is the author of this book? A: The author is Randall E. Stross, who provides a critical biography of Thomas Edison.
- Q: What is the binding type of 'The Wizard of Menlo Park'? A: This book is available in paperback binding.
- Q: How many pages does the book have? A: The book contains 392 pages.
- Q: What is the condition of the book? A: The book is listed as 'Used Book in Good Condition'.
- Q: When was 'The Wizard of Menlo Park' published? A: The book was published on March 25, 2008.
- Q: Is this book suitable for research on Thomas Edison? A: Yes, the book provides a comprehensive view of Thomas Edison's life, achievements, and challenges, making it suitable for research.
- Q: What themes are explored in the book? A: The book explores themes of innovation, fame, rivalry, and the interplay between genius and celebrity.
- Q: Can I find illustrations or photographs in the book? A: The book primarily focuses on text, and while it discusses various aspects of Edison's life, it may not include many illustrations or photographs.
- Q: Does this book provide insights into Edison's personal life? A: Yes, it discusses Edison's relationships with partners, competitors, and family, providing a fuller view of his personal and professional life.