Thomas Alva Edison lived one of the most constructive lives ever lived by an American. According to ("Biography of Thomas Alva Edison") He held over 1,000 patents on inventions he created or claimed to have created. ("Biography of Thomas Alva Edison") He was born on February 11, 1847 in Milan, Ohio. He was the youngest of seven children. Young Thomas had trouble in school, so his mother took him out and began homeschooling him. At the age of 14 Thomas was working at a local train station. He sold candy, newspapers and magazines. At one point he even started his own newspaper, which was a big hit with travellers. From 1863 to 1867 he traveled the United States as an illiterate telegrapher. And soon after he became interested in science and electricity. Then in 1871 he married Mary Stilwell. (“Biography of Thomas Alva Edison”) According to Bio.com it states that “They were happily married for 13 years and then had three children, William, Thomas and Marion. ("Biography of Thomas Alva Edison") Shortly thereafter he became an independent inventor in New York. He looked for work as a telegraph operator. But because of his poor hearing...