Rock Island High School - Watchtower Yearbook (Rock Island, IL)

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Tm 7 l DEDICATION 0 Thomas A. Edison C1847-19315, the genius and the man, Who by his mind, initiative, patience, resourcefulness, and perseverance made the modern artificial light and many other electrical and mechanical conveniences possible, who through his inventions Worked faithfully and untiringly for the physical, intellec- tual, and social Welfare of humanity, who was loved and admired by the rich and the poor, the young and the old, who made Wisdom the master of knowledge, and who was especially interested in the modern youth and their education, vve, the staff, dedicate this 1932 VVATCH TOWER ANNUAL.

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THOMAS ALVA EDISON In Milan, Ohio, on February ll, 1847, a son was born to Samuel and Nancy Edison. They named the child Thomas Alva. A Because this child was far from strong, he was able to attend school but very little. His mother taught him at home, however, and in this way he received a better education than he could have received at the schools of that time. 2+ . . . :ww-n....-.a.. While still very young Al showed a great interest in chemistry and elec- tricity. He tried many experiments and established a little laboratory in the cellar of his home. All the bottles in his laboratory were labeled 'CPOISONI' so that no one would disturb them. As a further experiment one day he tied an umbrella to a cat's tail and threw the cat out of a second story window to see if the umbrella would actaas a parachute. In order to get spending money to pay for his chemicals and books, UAV applied for the privilege of selling newspapers on the train between Port Huron and Detroit. Though only twelve years old he was ambitious and soon worked up a good trade, having other boys to help him. He secured the use of a part of a baggage car to use as a laboratory and a print shop. The industrious boy printed a small paper, The Weekly' Ilemldf' He published news on the Civil Var and circulated it about the rural sections through which the train passed. , V ii.. ff S.'1,.fa Q -of In August, 1862, he rescued the station masteris little boy from being run over by a box car which had been pushed out on a siding and was rapidly approach- ing the child. Out of gratitude the station master offered to teach him train telegraphy. This gave Edison his first real chance to study telegraphy which he later improved upon. He was busy with his telegraphy, printing, and chemistry when disaster came. A piece of phosphorous fell onto the tlloor of the box car laboratory and set fire to the car. The fire was put out before damage was done, but at the next station the boy and his possessions were Hkickedl' oil the train.