Inventing the Future

Inventing the Future

A Photobiography of Thomas Alva Edison

About the Book

This paperback addition to our Photobiography series, Inventing the Future,documents the life of Thomas Edison. This prolific American is recognized as one of history's greatest inventors. His 1,093 patented inventions include the light bulb, the phonograph, and the microphone.

Young readers learn why Edison believed that "genius is one per cent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration." An inspiring lesson in the rewards of dogged perseverance, Inventing the Future also illustrates how Edison's greatest legacy is the research laboratory, where constant experimentation remains the necessary prelude to discovery.

Marfé Ferguson Delano's portrait of this quirky original includes clippings from Edison's notebooks and images of the inventor at work—and occasionally at rest.

Awards include:
  • Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People—NCSS/CBC
  • Outstanding Science Trade Book for Children—NSTA/CBC
  • American Library Association Notable Book
  • James Madison Book Award—Honor Book
Read more
Close

Photobiographies Series

Airborne
Helen's Eyes
Genius
Inventing the Future
Bull's Eye
Always Inventing
Bylines
Light Shining Through the Mist

About the Author

Marfe Ferguson Delano
MARFÉ FERGUSON DELANO is the author of more than 20 books for National Geographic, including Genius, A Photobiograhy ofAlbert Einstein, which was an Orbis Pictus Honor Book, and Inventing the Future: A Photobiography of Thomas AlvaEdison. Her latest titles for National Geographic are Helen's Eyes, a Photobiography of Annie SullivanMaster George's People, Explore My World: Butterflies, Explore My World: FrogsExplore My World: Baby AnimalsExploreMy World: Clouds, Explore My World: A Tree Grows Up, and Welcome to the World. Delano is a graduate of Duke University. More by Marfe Ferguson Delano
Decorative Carat

By clicking submit, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to Penguin Random House's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use and understand that Penguin Random House collects certain categories of personal information for the purposes listed in that policy, discloses, sells, or shares certain personal information and retains personal information in accordance with the policy. You can opt-out of the sale or sharing of personal information anytime.

Random House Publishing Group