Turning Point Inventions: The Lightbulb

by Joseph Wallace, Toby Welles (Illustrator)

When Thomas Alva Edison was a boy, he couldn't just flick a switch to turn on the light if he wanted to finish reading a book after the sun had set. He grew up in a world where there was no dependable, safe, and inexpensive source of artificial light. Then, in 1879, he invented the lightbulb, and houses, shops, factories, schools, streets, ballparks -- every place you could think of, indoors and out -- could at last be easily illuminated after dark. By turning night into day, the lightbulb changed the world. Turning Point Inventions is the first series of books to focus on the important inventions we often take for granted and how they have affected our lives. In lively text and fascinating pictures, these books explore the world before the invention; the life of the inventor and how he or she came upon the discovery; how the world was changed by the invention; and how it may influence our future. A special full-color foldout in each book shows in detail how the invention works.

80 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1999

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name. This profile may contain books from multiple authors of this name.

Other authors writing under this name are:

Joseph Wallace
Joseph Wallace (1834-1904)
Joseph Wallace, poultry

Reviews

[China Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Light Bulb is a historical story about the life of Thomas Edison. He grew up in a world where there was no source of artificial light. In 1879, he invented the lightbulb, and houses, shops, factories, schools, streets, and ballparks. Places now had the ability to be easily illuminated during the night. Edison was able to single handedly turn the night into day. His magnificent invention of the lightbulb changed the world.

Turning Point Inventions is the first series of books that focuses on the important inventions that is a major aspect of our daily lives. The text includes some fascinating historical pictures and diagrams. The author does a great job in explaining how the inventor made his discovery, the way light was created and how it works to our benefit. A full-color foldout in each book shows in detail how the invention works. I know that children with a specific interest in math or science would really enjoy this book. It is very informative and inspiring!