The Charles Edison Fund
One-Half Century of Service

Charles Edison

Dear Educators, Students and Website Browsers:

     Imagine a world without the genius of Thomas Alva Edison: no electric light bulb, no street lights, no phonograph, no motion picture projector. Electricity and the telephone would be more primitive. Edison's gifts to everyday life are so ingrained, I, for one, take them for granted. It is almost impossible to imagine the world without the contributions of the most prolific inventor of all time. Many in fact say that Thomas Alva Edison invented the twentieth century.

     Now that the Century and indeed the Millennium are drawing to a close, I have been thinking about what lessons and values we will take into the future. Our scientific and technological accomplishments are unprecedented. The physical universe is so much more precisely understood. Mysteries of the human brain, genetics and molecular biology are uncovered everyday. Technology has opened previously impossible pathways to a global economy.

     These monumental advances bring me to an even greater appreciation of Edison's immense contributions. He applied his genius and creativity to inventions that benefit and improve the quality of everyday lives of ordinary people. He demystified genius by explaining it as hard work and stick-to-it-iveness. In fact he said, "genius is one percent inspiration and 99% perspiration." This man's accomplishments, values and attitudes are a great gift to the future.

     Thomas Edison was a humanitarian who made enormous contributions to the world. If asked seventy-five years ago who was the most famous person in the world, one would say Thomas Edison.

     What follows on this internet site, is a tribute to Thomas Alva Edison the inventor, Charles Edison, his son, statesman and public servant and to all those who want to make a difference.

     Our Teaching Kits are, we think, the best in the nation to help promote careers in science and technology. And our programs which focus on historical preservation, medical research and education at the grammar, high, college and graduate school levels are the best in the country.

     Tell us what we are doing right or wrong.

     We want to make a difference!

John P. Keegan
Chairman and President
The Charles Edison Fund
October 11, 1999