Smithsonian's History Explorer Resources Related To "Edison's "New Year's Eve" Lamp"

Invention at Play Homepage

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 10:43:31 GMT

Through the use of interactive games, inventors' stories, video commentaries, and toy displays, students will learn how play connects to the creative impulse that is fundamental to the work of invention, and explore the playful side of invention and the inventive side of play.

Lighting a Revolution

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 16:33:28 GMT

Explore the process of invention and compare Thomas Edison's well-known work on the electric light bulb a century ago with several modern lighting inventions with this online activity. This resource looks at the process of innovation through a sequence of five steps: preconditions, invention, promotion, competition and consequences. A guest lounge and library include two photo galleries, scripts and curator notes for the exhibition, a mystery object, technical reference and historical overviews.

Edison After Forty: The Challenge of Success

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 15:30:20 GMT

Students will learn about Thomas Edison's life in the years after he had become one of the most famous men in the world. At the age of 40, with major inventions behind him, Edison faced a new technical world, which he had helped to create, and the challenge of competing with his own success. This website takes the form of a photo exhibition and chronicles the latter half of Edison's life and career.

Edison Invents

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 15:30:20 GMT

Students will learn more about Thomas Alva Edison's creative genius. His mind gave us electric lights in our home and an entire system that produced and delivered electrical power. He was the first to record sound, and he also started the recording industry. Edison developed the first movie camera and produced the first movies. The website includes a biography of Edison, instructions on how to make a light bulb, and a list of related resources.