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In Boston, 100 years after the Declaration of Independence, Bell spoke the first sentence over the telephone to his assistant Watson:  "Watson, come here; I want you."

In Boston, 100 years after the Declaration of Independence, Bell spoke the first sentence over the telephone to his assistant Watson:  "Watson, come here; I want you."

[[Image:Edison and phonograph.jpg|right]]

[[Image:Edison and phonograph.jpg|right]]

But just as John the Baptist was immediately followed by someone far greater, Jesus, Alexander Graham Bell was immediately followed by someone far greater, Thomas Edison (pictured to the right with one of his inventions, the phonograph).  When Thomas was 7 years old, Mrs. Edison put him in the local public school. The public school teacher was irritated by Edison's curiosity and questions, and aggravated by his failure to follow directions like the rest of the class.  The teacher concluded that Edison was incapable of learning,<ref>Specifically, declaring that Edison's brain had been "scrambled" or "addled".</ref> and after merely three months the teacher told young Edison's mother that her son was an idiot.

But just as John the Baptist was immediately followed by someone far greater, Jesus, Alexander Graham Bell was immediately followed by someone far greater, Thomas Edison (pictured to the right with one of his inventions, the phonograph).  When Thomas was 7 years old, Mrs. Edison put him in the local public school. The public school teacher was irritated by Edison's curiosity and questions, and aggravated by his failure to follow directions like the rest of the class.  The teacher concluded that Edison was incapable of learning,<ref>Specifically, the teacher thought that Edison's brain had been "scrambled" or "addled".</ref> and after merely three months the teacher told young Edison's mother that her son was an idiot.

Mrs. Edison was furious at the teacher and the public school.  She immediately pulled young Thomas out of school and never sent him back.  She then homeschooled him by reading from the Bible, and his father encouraged young Thomas to read the classics.  Young Thomas became a voracious reader and, by the age of 12, became interested in science, chemistry and the works of Isaac Newton.  Young Thomas also became an entrepreneur as a teenager, first publishing a newspaper and then memorizing Morse Code so that he could get a job transmitting messages over the telegraph by age 15.  He had a tremendous "work ethic," putting in 12-hour work days, 6 days a week, and then inventing in his spare time.  His famous quotes include:<ref>http://quotations.about.com/od/stillmorefamouspeople/a/ThomasEdison2.htm</ref>

Mrs. Edison was furious at the teacher and the public school.  She immediately pulled young Thomas out of school and never sent him back.  She then homeschooled him by reading from the Bible, and his father encouraged young Thomas to read the classics.  Young Thomas became a voracious reader and, by the age of 12, became interested in science, chemistry and the works of Isaac Newton.  Young Thomas also became an entrepreneur as a teenager, first publishing a newspaper and then memorizing Morse Code so that he could get a job transmitting messages over the telegraph by age 15.  He had a tremendous "work ethic," putting in 12-hour work days, 6 days a week, and then inventing in his spare time.  His famous quotes include:<ref>http://quotations.about.com/od/stillmorefamouspeople/a/ThomasEdison2.htm</ref>