Thursday, January 31, 2013

Edison & Ford Winter Estates!


As a homeschooling mom, I was SO excited to visit Thomas A. Edison and Henry Ford's winter homes, museum and laboratory!



Look at these ficus trees!  It took every fiber in my kids, NOT to climb on them!  Edison experimented with them for the use of rubber.  Cool.



Look at the roots!  They looked like snakes.  Too cool.



Edison actually patented 1093 inventions.  That is just incredible.  He gets a lot of credit for the light bulb, not because he was the first one to invent it, but HIS light burned for 1500 hours, when others' burned for only seconds. ;) (And, it only took him 10,000 tries) ;)



Of course there is a cute gift shop.  Hannah posed with a light bulb sucker.



He devoted his entire life to new and original ideas, that we still use and build upon today.



Even Hollywood can thank Edison for his contribution to film.



Emily is standing near a 55,000 watt bulb!  Seriously, that could light a whole town!



This lady gave a great talk about Edison and his phonograph.  She also played some, and showed how the volume was controlled.  They used to literally "Put a sock in it!"  (I did not know, that is where that little saying came from!)
You just never know what you might learn?!



I like this portrait.  It seems to show the 'Thinker.'



This is the Model T, built by Henry Ford.  He did not invent the automobile, but he DID invent the assembly line, allowing the cost of the automobile to be affordable.  The average cost in 1920 was around $800, however, Ford sold the Model T for $400!!



Edison's lab was simply overwhelming.  Can you imagine all the effort and time spent here?!



So many of his old journals, experiments, concoctions, typewriter, and tools to observe.



This is just part of Edison's home.




This is just the front of Ford's home.

They were next door neighbors!  Love it.



As a mom of some pretty creative kids, I hope this might trigger or inspire in them a love for new things, that can help others.  So, the next time you drive your car, cook waffles, listen to the radio, curl your hair or even watch a movie, remember to thank Ford and Edison for their sacrifice and thoughtful ways!


Blessings,
Steph

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