Thomas Edison gained about 1100 patents on products he invented! We learned a bellyful of such facts about Tom and his good friend Henry Ford on Friday. What a great vacation day. We got the idea a few years ago from Channel 8 News to do a Florida road trip on a tank-full (of gas)with the grandkids.
We have had some adventures – to see the Lippizaners, to the ride the steam engine, to see Solomon’s junk castle and more. We took off to Ft Myers on Friday.
We learned how deep inflation has affected our lives when we realized that 
Thomas Edison bought his 13 acres of coastal paradise for $20,000. – with a house on it! Of course that was almost 100 years ago – and wages were $1.00 -$5.00 per day so guess you need to put it into perspective.
The sky was cloudy most of the day and it only got hot near the end. Then the thundering rain shower rushed us to the car for a cool and sleepy drive home. I was most impressed with my 8 and 12 year on grandkids who did indeed soak it in. Andrew was impressed with the Model T and 1937 roadster, the movie projectors, and the number of times Edison failed before making the light bulb work.
Thomas Edison bought his 13 acres of coastal paradise for $20,000. – with a house on it! Of course that was almost 100 years ago – and wages were $1.00 -$5.00 per day so guess you need to put it into perspective.The sky was cloudy most of the day and it only got hot near the end. Then the thundering rain shower rushed us to the car for a cool and sleepy drive home. I was most impressed with my 8 and 12 year on grandkids who did indeed soak it in. Andrew was impressed with the Model T and 1937 roadster, the movie projectors, and the number of times Edison failed before making the light bulb work.
Emma was impressed with the first talking doll that you crank up in the back. We learned that if she was dropped – the talker broke because she was so fragile. She was astonished to hear that upon her market failure, they buried all the dolls in a big hole near the factory where they likely rest to this day. She wants to know where that factory is. Bill and I were amazed at the opulent lifestyle of the wealthy – even in the early 1900’s – and knowing the anti-Semitic sentiment both Edison and especially Ford maintain, supporting Hitler’s rise to power, and the cruel task mastery of their sweatshops made quips about their generosity or character slightly distasteful.
Edison did a great deal of research in rubber. Supported by many, including Harvey Firestone. No joke! Thus his very large banyon tree – second largest in America only to one in Hawaii.
The kids enjoyed the individual guided tour on little ear pieces. You dialed the number on the phone of the spot you were in and got a 45-90 second little talk about it. Emma enjoyed the kitchen and guest room. Andrew the library and
the lab.
2 comments:
They had so much fun - it's so great that they can share these special days with you!
Sounds like you had a fun day!
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