What's Your Problem? Introducing Business History: The Edison Invention People Don't Talk About
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Nov 18, 2025 Explore the transformative impact of Thomas Edison, who didn't just invent gadgets but reshaped how we invent itself. Discover his scrappy childhood, early hustles, and how his telegraphy skills opened the door to a groundbreaking career. Learn about his first patent, the lessons from its failure, and how Edison's innovations led to the phonograph. The podcast dives into the intricacies of modern invention and Edison's relentless ambition, setting the stage for a deep exploration of his legacy.
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Invention As An Industrial Process
- Edison industrialized invention by creating a lab designed to turn ideas into repeatable outputs.
- He treated invention as a production process with schedules and teams, not as isolated eureka moments.
Boyhood Hustles And A Train Lab Fire
- Young Edison sold newspapers on trains and then printed his own paper from a baggage-car press.
- He also set up a chemistry lab on the train, spilled phosphorus, started a fire, and got fired.
Telegraphy As Edison’s Launchpad
- Learning telegraphy plugged Edison into the era's most valuable information network.
- That skill unlocked travel, technical work, and direct entry into communications innovation.