Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1939-04-20
Congressman Suggests Edison Day

he became practically totally deaf
through an accident.
But, in spite of this physical ham
dicap, he continued his work with
the telegraph and his first patented
invention was in 1868, when he was
q years old, and was known as an
electrical vote recorder. Subse-'
quently, in rapid succession, he in
vented many new products, perhaps
the best known Of which to us is the
first practical incandescent lamp
known at that time as "hairpin
burning in a bottle" This inven-
tion was created at Menlo Park, N.
T.. where Mr.. Edison had establish
ed a small laboratory for expert
mental purposes and where now
stands a large masonry column at
the top of which a dome in the shape
of an incandescent lamp burns con-
tiDuously in memory and recognition
of this great man who brought TO
us the electric light.
Because his inventions, evolved to
benefit and bring profit to millions
of people all over the world and
particularly to this country, are to
day the foundation upon which we
shall continue to advance and prog
ress; and because the businesses
which he founded during his life
time are still prospering and carry
ihg on his work, it is only proper
and fitting that appropriate recogni-
ton be given this country's bene
factor and world famous genius. Set
ting aside the anniversary Of the
birth of this great American, Feb
Il, each year as a national holiday
would be a deserved tribute.
The benefits we all derive today
and will continue to derive in the fu
tlre are beyond human calculation
In Edison's accomplishments the
world has not only a foundation up
on which to build industrial and so
cial progress, but every living sou
for innumerable years to come will
profit spiritually from happier hui
man relationships and happier living
conditions.
, The name of Thomas Alva Edison
rightly belongs on the list of Amer
ica's greatest men. His memor1
should be fttingly perpetuated Sc
that our citizens and the people .
the world will never be allowed tt
! forget the greatness of this geniu:
whose achievements better thell
lives No other American ever con
! tributed more to our present civili
zation and the stimula ton of indus
trial progress. Even so, Thomas AL
va Edison's laboratories are carry
ing on his great work, founded or
Edisons principle of first recogniz
ing a need and then inventing so
luton.
During his lifetime Edison receiy
ed some 1,150 patents. Among his
best accomplishments, besides the
first practical incanGescent lamp, are
the first commercially practical gen
orator and the first practical sys
TEN of electric-power Transmission
! inventions with which, in 1882 will
generating plant, he ushered in th'
age of electricity.
Other accomplishments include
the multiplex telegraph; the moticr
picture camera; the phonograph
the alkaline storage battery; the
microphone transmitter, which play
ed an important part in the develop
ment of the telephone and also IL
the art of radio broadcasting; anf
the Edison-effect lamp, which wa'
the first thermionic tube and basi:
OF our present radio "tubes."
1t has been estim"ted that at the
time of Edison's death in 1881 the
industries arising directly from hi
inventions represented an invest
ment of more than $25, 900, ,00t
and were directly providing 1000,
600 jobs to our people of this coun
! try This was a larger number o
! persons than were employed durln: