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Edison and the Rise of Innovation
Edison presents, in intimate detail, the man who helped engineer the modern world. One of history's most prolific inventors, and perhaps America's first celebrity, Thomas Alva Edison did more than bring incandescent light into every household and industry; he created a world-renowned brand, raised capital to support research and business, and pursued patents for his 1,000+ inventions. Leonard DeGraaf, archivist for the Thomas Edison National Historical Park, chronicles Edison's life and work, making lively and lavish use of never-before-published primary sources, including Edison's personal and business correspondence, lab notebooks, drawings, and advertising material, along with both historic and modern photographs.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
June 4, 2019
It had interesting information with dry presentation.
February 9, 2014
This book is a nice addition to my library. It is part biography (albeit rather brief), it is part a history of some of his key inventions, and it makes clear that he was looking for applications that could be remunerative (compare him, for instance, with Tesla).
The book begins with a look at his early years and the formative influences on his inventiveness. He begin in the telegraph industry and soon began looking for ways of making this communication system more efficient (e.g., having multiple messages sent out at the same time). His work here got him noticed, and soon he began to have his own career as inventor/businessman.
Much of the book considers a number of his efforts--the development of laboratories (from Menlo Park on) that could develop inventions and, hopefully, commercial delivery and revenues; the phonograph; electric lighting system (from generation and delivery of electricity to the light bulb); the phonograph; motion pictures; Portland cement; storage batteries (powering automobiles, providing electricity in a wide array of applications--auto and truck ignition and lighting systems, telephone switchboards, radio sets, railway and signaling); his role in World War 1; and rubber.
There is much here. One sees areas where his genius opened up a new commercial area--but he was not always the one to benefit fully. He could not figure out commercial applications for the phonograph until others got into the game; he had modest success in motion pictures, but missed some key changes; his direct current power system was inferior to the one developed by Tesla (and implemented by George Westinghouse). It is odd that Tesla's name is not mentioned once in this work.
An interesting work that provides an entree to Edison's life and creations in a rather short volume.
The book begins with a look at his early years and the formative influences on his inventiveness. He begin in the telegraph industry and soon began looking for ways of making this communication system more efficient (e.g., having multiple messages sent out at the same time). His work here got him noticed, and soon he began to have his own career as inventor/businessman.
Much of the book considers a number of his efforts--the development of laboratories (from Menlo Park on) that could develop inventions and, hopefully, commercial delivery and revenues; the phonograph; electric lighting system (from generation and delivery of electricity to the light bulb); the phonograph; motion pictures; Portland cement; storage batteries (powering automobiles, providing electricity in a wide array of applications--auto and truck ignition and lighting systems, telephone switchboards, radio sets, railway and signaling); his role in World War 1; and rubber.
There is much here. One sees areas where his genius opened up a new commercial area--but he was not always the one to benefit fully. He could not figure out commercial applications for the phonograph until others got into the game; he had modest success in motion pictures, but missed some key changes; his direct current power system was inferior to the one developed by Tesla (and implemented by George Westinghouse). It is odd that Tesla's name is not mentioned once in this work.
An interesting work that provides an entree to Edison's life and creations in a rather short volume.
October 17, 2013
If you're looking for an interesting, informative read, look no further! Edison not only speaks of the famous inventor's progress over time, it also includes insight into his family life. This biography is not only that, it's inspirational. Seeing all of the years and energy that comes after the first spark of an idea, and then the problems that come with marketing inventions, humanizes Edison in a way I've never really encountered before. Edison truly couldn't have accomplished anything if he hadn't had a team behind him, supporting him throughout his life and helping him become the name that we all know today.
I loved how in this book it's said that one of his daughters hated things written about her father that ignored his family life. This book is definitely the comprehensive look she was hoping for. There are so many seemingly insignificant anecdotes included that I particularly enjoyed.
I've learned about Edison in school but never before in a way like this. Inventing doesn't seem very glamorous or fun now that I know the hard work that goes into it. Edison would spend years developing great ideas that no one would really want to buy. He'd work long hours and sometimes forget to come back home and would leave his family feeling neglected. There's an interesting dynamic presented even through all of the precise information about Edison's firsts and accomplishments.
If you've ever been interested in Edison as a historical figure or his life as an inventor, pick up this book. It's full of fantastic pictures that capture his family life as well as his time inventing. This is an uncomplicated read that you'll be sure to enjoy, whether you want to read it in one sitting or flip through it a few times!
5/5 stars
I loved how in this book it's said that one of his daughters hated things written about her father that ignored his family life. This book is definitely the comprehensive look she was hoping for. There are so many seemingly insignificant anecdotes included that I particularly enjoyed.
I've learned about Edison in school but never before in a way like this. Inventing doesn't seem very glamorous or fun now that I know the hard work that goes into it. Edison would spend years developing great ideas that no one would really want to buy. He'd work long hours and sometimes forget to come back home and would leave his family feeling neglected. There's an interesting dynamic presented even through all of the precise information about Edison's firsts and accomplishments.
If you've ever been interested in Edison as a historical figure or his life as an inventor, pick up this book. It's full of fantastic pictures that capture his family life as well as his time inventing. This is an uncomplicated read that you'll be sure to enjoy, whether you want to read it in one sitting or flip through it a few times!
5/5 stars
April 28, 2014
Light Bulb
On the cover of this book about Thomas Edison is a light bulb. In cartoons, a light bulb popping up over someone's head symbolizes an idea. In the cartoon, Despicable Me, the protagonist merely says "light bulb" when he has an idea. So, when Edison got the idea for a light bulb, what happened? Whatever popped up over Edison's head, how appropriate that the man who had so many ideas for such innovative products also invented the thing that became the universal symbol for an idea. Along with the light bulb, which ushered in a new industrial age of "enlightenment," The Wizard of Menlo Park also invented the phonograph, motion pictures, and countless other products, such as concrete, that made our modern era possible.
This book is laid out like a slick magazine, or a coffee table book, with nice graphics and pull quotes, that look marvelous, but almost makes you wonder if it is superficial. Nevertheless, the content is quite substantial, though of course that is not to say that other books on Edison might go deeper into his biography or the technical aspects of his inventions.
I read one anecdote that I would have liked to have seen in this book, that Edison would sit in a comfortable chair at night holding a large metal ball, and when he started to doze off he would drop it, and when he was awakened, he would write down his ideas in a notebook. It shows Edison's creative side, which was discussed in this book, although not this particular incident, or if it was, I must have dozed off while reading it, without my large metal ball.
Edison is widely quoted as having said that invention is 1% inspiration, and 99% perspiration, but he nevertheless valued that 1% of inspiration, and would conduct brainstorming sessions with his staff where no idea would be deemed too silly or frivolous, it would be added to the list of ideas for further evaluation and possible development. He always tried to invent things that were practical and could be made into products that the public would want. Still, he hated for the banks and financers to interfere with his pure research--he could see practical applications even if the bean counters and number-crunchers lacked his vision.
Sometimes he also lacked vision when it came to his inventions being used by artists and musicians. Though he invented movies and phonographs, and started his own companies to produce movies and records, these enterprises faltered. Once the novelty of seeing films and hearing records faded the public wanted records and movies that were more artistic. Film directors began telling stories that the public wanted to see, and the studios began recording music that the public wanted to hear. Edison was more concerned with whether each instrument could be heard clearly, and other technical aspects, then he was with whether the music would stir the emotions. He didn't want to popularize a particular singer, didn't even care who the singer was.
When the public began using the speed control on the records to play them at faster tempos for dancing, he was appalled. He ordered that feature removed because he didn't want an inaccurate representation of the sound. He was more concerned with technical aspects then he was with what the public wanted. Edison was quite creative but he remained an engineer, not an artist.
This book gives a great overview of this prime example of Yankee Ingenuity, and it is a joy to read. It should inspire a new generation of inventors and innovators, causing a multitude of light bulbs to pop up over a multitude of heads.
On the cover of this book about Thomas Edison is a light bulb. In cartoons, a light bulb popping up over someone's head symbolizes an idea. In the cartoon, Despicable Me, the protagonist merely says "light bulb" when he has an idea. So, when Edison got the idea for a light bulb, what happened? Whatever popped up over Edison's head, how appropriate that the man who had so many ideas for such innovative products also invented the thing that became the universal symbol for an idea. Along with the light bulb, which ushered in a new industrial age of "enlightenment," The Wizard of Menlo Park also invented the phonograph, motion pictures, and countless other products, such as concrete, that made our modern era possible.
This book is laid out like a slick magazine, or a coffee table book, with nice graphics and pull quotes, that look marvelous, but almost makes you wonder if it is superficial. Nevertheless, the content is quite substantial, though of course that is not to say that other books on Edison might go deeper into his biography or the technical aspects of his inventions.
I read one anecdote that I would have liked to have seen in this book, that Edison would sit in a comfortable chair at night holding a large metal ball, and when he started to doze off he would drop it, and when he was awakened, he would write down his ideas in a notebook. It shows Edison's creative side, which was discussed in this book, although not this particular incident, or if it was, I must have dozed off while reading it, without my large metal ball.
Edison is widely quoted as having said that invention is 1% inspiration, and 99% perspiration, but he nevertheless valued that 1% of inspiration, and would conduct brainstorming sessions with his staff where no idea would be deemed too silly or frivolous, it would be added to the list of ideas for further evaluation and possible development. He always tried to invent things that were practical and could be made into products that the public would want. Still, he hated for the banks and financers to interfere with his pure research--he could see practical applications even if the bean counters and number-crunchers lacked his vision.
Sometimes he also lacked vision when it came to his inventions being used by artists and musicians. Though he invented movies and phonographs, and started his own companies to produce movies and records, these enterprises faltered. Once the novelty of seeing films and hearing records faded the public wanted records and movies that were more artistic. Film directors began telling stories that the public wanted to see, and the studios began recording music that the public wanted to hear. Edison was more concerned with whether each instrument could be heard clearly, and other technical aspects, then he was with whether the music would stir the emotions. He didn't want to popularize a particular singer, didn't even care who the singer was.
When the public began using the speed control on the records to play them at faster tempos for dancing, he was appalled. He ordered that feature removed because he didn't want an inaccurate representation of the sound. He was more concerned with technical aspects then he was with what the public wanted. Edison was quite creative but he remained an engineer, not an artist.
This book gives a great overview of this prime example of Yankee Ingenuity, and it is a joy to read. It should inspire a new generation of inventors and innovators, causing a multitude of light bulbs to pop up over a multitude of heads.
October 17, 2013
Sterling books are known for their lush, sumptuous photography and for contributing to an overall “sexy book” experience. They have lots of excellent titles on topics of interest to dudes, like architecture, beer, adult playtime, and even coloring books for boys. But Thomas Edison? One wouldn’t think “sumptuous visuals” when thinking of Edison crouched over a microscope. Or an oscilloscope (or a sigmoidoscope or whatever it was he crouched over). But that’s what readers are treated to here: a superb visual experience with authoritative text. DeGraaf is the archivist of the Thomas Edison National Historical site, and his deep knowledge and appreciation for Edison comes through in measured, scholarly doses. Hundreds of images of historical notebook scribbling, portraits of colleagues and partners, photos of buildings, records of inventions, and letters support the text. DeGraaf examines many aspects of his subject’s life, not just the routine, “He was an inventor” angle. Indeed, Edison was first and primarily an entrepreneur who took the same approach to his considerable business affairs that he did to his inventioneering—one of constant innovation. VERDICT DeGraaf’s work provides a more rounded picture of Edison and will inspire even more awe in the man’s accomplishments. Sure, he gave us the light bulb (and the pneumatic stencil pen and concrete houses too), but he also pioneered “…team-based research, corporate support for research and development, and the branding of his persona as a reliable, practical inventor in order to encourage investor financing…” Basically, he created a “how we do this” template for American business.
Find this review and others at Books for Dudes, the online reader's advisory column for men from Library Journal: see http://reviews.libraryjournal.com/cat.... Copyright Library Journal.
Find this review and others at Books for Dudes, the online reader's advisory column for men from Library Journal: see http://reviews.libraryjournal.com/cat.... Copyright Library Journal.
November 26, 2014
Today's Nonfiction post is on Edison and the Rise of Innovation by Leonard DeGraaf. It is 244 pages long including notes, an index, and resource. It is published by Sterling Signature. The cover is brown with a light bulb in the center. The intended reader is someone who is curious about Edison and his inventions. There is no language, no sex, and no violence in this book. All ages could enjoy this book. The story is told from letters, dairies, interviews, and other first hand resources about Thomas Edison and his inventions. There Be Spoilers Ahead.
From the dust jacket- Ranked number on in Life magazine's list of the hundred people who made the millennium, Thomas Edison was a visionary inventor and talented entrepreneur who did much more than introduce the first practical electric light. Perhaps America's first celebrity, he created a world-renowned brand, raised capital to support research and business, pursued patents for 1,000+ inventions, and – in the process- paved the way for a more efficient and innovative world.
This book, produced in association with the Charles Edison Fund and the Edison Innovation Foundation, examines the prolific inventor through the vast museum collections of Thomas Edison National Historical Park. Drawing on Edison's personal notebooks, letters, company records, and rarely seen historic photographs, and artifacts, park archivist Leonard DeGraaf unmasks the mythic larger-than-life Wizard to reveal the Innovator who- beyond introducing groundbreaking inventions in electric lighting, sound recording, and motion pictures- revolutionized the way develop new technologies.
Review- I was expected this book to more about Edison but it really about his inventions. Once I realized that I really enjoyed this book. I only knew a little about Thomas Edison and almost nothing about his inventions. Now I know how much Edison gave the modern age, which is more than the light bulb. The details about his inventions is great. There are pictures of Edison's hand written notes, the formulas he used are reproduced for the reader, and all the problems that he had with an invention is laid out. At times the story would slow down because all of the details with the inventions but if you push through those spots, you will learn a lot about how the modern age came to be. One thing that I was surprised about in this book was that Nikola Tesla was not mentioned at all. Not the fact that Telsa worked for Edison on the light bulb not their 'war' of AC versus DC. Nothing at all and I think that was an oversight personally. I know that this is a book about Edison but if everyone else that Edison worked with over his very long and fruitful career was talked about but not him? I do not think that mentioning Telsa would make this book any less about Edison. In fact I think that it would have added to the chapter about AC versus DC. But I am not the author and DeGraaf does so much right with this book. If you are looking for learn more about what exactly Thomas Edison invented, then you should read this book.
I give this book a Four out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I borrowed this book from my local library.
May 19, 2014
This coffee-table worthy book is a dense but readable account of the work of Thomas Edison. The author's main objective is to examine both Edison "the Wizard" and Edison "the Innovator." He was not only a genius as an inventor, but also a saavy marketer and manufacturer. He had a gift for knowing what the public wanted before they knew they wanted it. He was cut from the same cloth as Steve Jobs.
The author is an archivist at the Thomas Edison National Historic Park, so he knows his stuff. The photographs of Edison memorabilia are beautiful. Yet this isn't a work of blind hagiography; Edison's faults and shortcomings are presented alongside his achievements. For example, the author shows how Edison's moralistic view of what the public should watch short-circuited his attempts to succeed at movie-making. He was much better at making the hardware! Some of the brief sidebars are even more interesting than the main text; Edison both worked on the first electric chair and put his hand to talking dolls.
The book truly is a look at his work only. The mentions of his family are brief and contradictory. His family with his first wife is almost entirely ignored; the wife dies, and no mention is made of the cause. A daughter from his second marriage asserts that he wasn't a "robot" who did nothing but work, yet the author notes he typically spent 16 to 18 hours a day, six days a week, at his lab.
But as an inventor and businessman, Edison had no equal. The author demonstrates how he was ahead of his time in many ways. He assembled a creative and autonomous group of workers, putting an end to the model of the lone inventor. He marketed his inventions overseas, ushering in an era of global commerce. His tireless work led inexorably from an age with no electric light or power systems, no motion pictures, no cameras, no voice recording devices and no research labs, to the age of computers, smart phones and the Internet that we enjoy today.
The author is an archivist at the Thomas Edison National Historic Park, so he knows his stuff. The photographs of Edison memorabilia are beautiful. Yet this isn't a work of blind hagiography; Edison's faults and shortcomings are presented alongside his achievements. For example, the author shows how Edison's moralistic view of what the public should watch short-circuited his attempts to succeed at movie-making. He was much better at making the hardware! Some of the brief sidebars are even more interesting than the main text; Edison both worked on the first electric chair and put his hand to talking dolls.
The book truly is a look at his work only. The mentions of his family are brief and contradictory. His family with his first wife is almost entirely ignored; the wife dies, and no mention is made of the cause. A daughter from his second marriage asserts that he wasn't a "robot" who did nothing but work, yet the author notes he typically spent 16 to 18 hours a day, six days a week, at his lab.
But as an inventor and businessman, Edison had no equal. The author demonstrates how he was ahead of his time in many ways. He assembled a creative and autonomous group of workers, putting an end to the model of the lone inventor. He marketed his inventions overseas, ushering in an era of global commerce. His tireless work led inexorably from an age with no electric light or power systems, no motion pictures, no cameras, no voice recording devices and no research labs, to the age of computers, smart phones and the Internet that we enjoy today.
May 11, 2014
This book has a great "coffee table" feel to it. I really liked the mix of history, biography, and technology throughout the story. In many ways, it still reads like a history book, with a lot of facts, but sometimes lacking personality to make it come alive. I did love all of the associated photos scattered within the text. The chapters are well laid out, covering some of his more important inventions. This was a great glimpse of a golfer age of invention in the US.
Edison was a man of great innovation, but it was plainly laid out that he lacked vision of what the public wanted, thinking he knew better than they did. I see that same failure of understanding the public in myself, otherwise I would be wealthy selling the public things they don't need, but have to have.
Have a GoodReads.
Edison was a man of great innovation, but it was plainly laid out that he lacked vision of what the public wanted, thinking he knew better than they did. I see that same failure of understanding the public in myself, otherwise I would be wealthy selling the public things they don't need, but have to have.
Have a GoodReads.
February 16, 2014
This is a wonderful book. It has so much information about Thomas Edison.There are pictures too, which I thought was really nice. I would recommend to everyone.Amazing book.
PS- I liked the lightbulb shaped paperclip that came with the book.:)
PS- I liked the lightbulb shaped paperclip that came with the book.:)
December 9, 2025
I knew about Edison--but now I know much more. Interesting about the way he learned everything--the way he approaches everything and how smart he was about creating a business out of every invention. He sure was an interesting person that not only was curious about how things work--but also made things work and created a need--and at the same time, improved our lives.
I think we owe quite much to this man. I also think we need to use him as an excellent role model to emulate. I honestly feel this book--which BTW, is not only interesting--but it also beautiful as well. I read the e-book but also acquired the Hard Copy--a gorgeous book indeed.
It sure helped me see innovation from his perspective...and a way to create a business too.
Get the e-book--you will love it.
I think we owe quite much to this man. I also think we need to use him as an excellent role model to emulate. I honestly feel this book--which BTW, is not only interesting--but it also beautiful as well. I read the e-book but also acquired the Hard Copy--a gorgeous book indeed.
It sure helped me see innovation from his perspective...and a way to create a business too.
Get the e-book--you will love it.
January 3, 2018
A great story of a great innovator. Thomas Edison.
I found the book interesting as it contains life events of Edison. How he moved from different industries with what thought process and what idea he developed into a product. I somehow can connect his life to the today’s giant Apple and Tesla (and many others). They work on the same philosophy. Always bring something new to the market with quality.
It’s a nice track of Edison’s life with many original photographs. Good read. 👍🏻
I found the book interesting as it contains life events of Edison. How he moved from different industries with what thought process and what idea he developed into a product. I somehow can connect his life to the today’s giant Apple and Tesla (and many others). They work on the same philosophy. Always bring something new to the market with quality.
It’s a nice track of Edison’s life with many original photographs. Good read. 👍🏻
June 3, 2019
3.5 bumped up to a 4 > interesting information on how many failures Edison had and how he kept at it. It was irritating to keep putting costs in "today's dollars" when the book is already five years old - five more years from now and "today's dollars" won't mean much. Also difficult/impossible to read old posters that were included - print was too small.
September 30, 2025
He is what I believed Leonardo Da Vinci was before learning the differences.
January 28, 2014
http://www.sterlingpublishing.com/ima...
Leonard DeGraaf is an archivist at Thomas Edison National Historical Park. Before joining the National Park Service in 1991, he was on the staff of the Thomas A. Edison Papers. DeGraaf is the author of Historic Photos of Thomas Edison (Turner Publishing, 2008), and his articles have appeared in the New York Daily News, Seaport magazine, and Business History Review, among other publications. He received an MA in history from Rutgers University.
Beautiful "coffee table" book. High quality paper and photos available only to an archivist make this a book to be enjoyed in hand, rather than "virtually" in an ereader.
Tremendous scholarly treatment of Edison's process. This is not meant to be a catalogue of inventions, thus the forward by Bill Gates, an innovator in his own right.
This is a book which, I believe, most readers will want to read piecemeal. I gave it as a gift to about half a dozen friends with diverse interests this past Christmas. It was enjoyed tremendously by an educator, an historian, a few business folks and a couple of electronics inventors. While I do have a business background, I was raised in a scientist's household and read many genres of books. There is quite a bit in this book for many general readers.
Leonard DeGraaf is an archivist at Thomas Edison National Historical Park. Before joining the National Park Service in 1991, he was on the staff of the Thomas A. Edison Papers. DeGraaf is the author of Historic Photos of Thomas Edison (Turner Publishing, 2008), and his articles have appeared in the New York Daily News, Seaport magazine, and Business History Review, among other publications. He received an MA in history from Rutgers University.
Beautiful "coffee table" book. High quality paper and photos available only to an archivist make this a book to be enjoyed in hand, rather than "virtually" in an ereader.
Tremendous scholarly treatment of Edison's process. This is not meant to be a catalogue of inventions, thus the forward by Bill Gates, an innovator in his own right.
This is a book which, I believe, most readers will want to read piecemeal. I gave it as a gift to about half a dozen friends with diverse interests this past Christmas. It was enjoyed tremendously by an educator, an historian, a few business folks and a couple of electronics inventors. While I do have a business background, I was raised in a scientist's household and read many genres of books. There is quite a bit in this book for many general readers.
March 3, 2014
I won this book as part of a Goodreads giveaway. I was extremely pleased when I received the book as it is a very beautiful hardcover book. I have only had time to quickly browse through the pages but it appears to have lots of interesting information about Edison and his inventions. The book is very visually pleasing from the cover through to the photos throughout the book.
January 30, 2014
It was not a bad biography of Edison, I liked the photos best, both the colour ones and the black and white.
March 25, 2015
Dry and textbook like. Expected.
March 20, 2016
Wow! This was interesting. There were a lot more people involved in his inventions than I thought.
September 17, 2014
very Enjoyable
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews