Interview on Thomas Edison

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Interview on Thomas Alva Edison Date: 28th June, 1880

R: What is your newest invention?

A: An electric light bulb that can be used for a lot of times. It is also my greatest invention so far.

R: Do you have any future plans? (New inventions or improvements?)

A: I want to invent a motion picture camera and a fluoroscope that can be used to take x-rays of our bodies.

R: Do you spend more time on inventing and improving things or with your family and friends?

A: I spend more time on inventing things because I kept failing on making the light bulb. Therefore, I spent a lot of time on inventing it. However, I do spend my time with my family when I’m free.

R: What inspired you to invent new things?

A: I admire the people who is able to invent useful things that helped shape people’s lives. They inspired me to invent.

R: Why didn’t you give up when you kept failing on making the first electric light bulb?

A: It is because I really wanted to invent the first electric light bulb and it is my dream. The light bulb greatly influenced our lives and I’m glad that I succeeded in inventing it.

R: How did you feel after you succeeded in invented the first electric light bulb?

A: Of course I am really happy and excited that I made a great contribution to the world.

R: Do you think that you’re inspirational?

A: I think I’m inspirational to the people who is facing a lot of obstacles that they really want to give up. I really wanted to give up when I was inventing the light bulb because I kept failing. Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time. When I fail on doing something, I always tell myself that I've not failed. I've just found many ways that won't work. Some people think that I’m inspirational just because I am talented that I can invent a lot of things but I think that genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.

R: Do you have any advice for the people who are having difficulties on following their dreams?

A: I always say that our greatest weakness lies in giving up. We should always keep following our dreams and never give up. Just like me, when I was inventing the light bulb, I didn’t give up, despite more than ten thousand failures because it is my dream.

R: What is your favourite invention?

A: I like the phonograph the best and I always call it my “baby”. Therefore, I spend more time to work on it and I have made a lot of improvements.

R: What is your dream? Have you fulfilled it yet?

A: My dream is to invent a lamp that could be operated by electricity and I have already fulfilled it.