Thomas Edison: Embrace Failures as Learnings

August 05, 2024 Jen Forsman

Hi Stagers!

For our first blog post, we're delving into the inspiring story of Thomas Edison (1847-1931), a prolific American inventor and businessman with 1,093 US patents whose journey is a testament to perseverance, innovation, and the power of learning from failure.

This Week's Spotlight: Thomas Edison

Born on February 11, 1847, in Milan, Ohio, Edison is best known for inventing the practical incandescent light bulb (1880). However, this achievement was a challenging journey. From 1878 to 1880, Edison and his associates ran at least 3,000 experiments before finally developing a light bulb that was both long-lasting and commercially viable. It's hard to imagine failing 3,000 times before succeeding.

Edison famously remarked when asked about his repeated failures, "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." Edison's relentless pursuit of success through trial and error exemplifies the power of embracing "failures as learnings" when stagefully reverse engineering in the face of monumental challenges. Edison would envision the result he wanted—a reliable and affordable light bulb—and then work backward, experimenting with different materials and techniques to find the right solution. Each failure was a step closer to success, providing insights and guiding his subsequent attempts.

Early Struggles and Setbacks

As a complex historical figure, Edison was no stranger to adversity in building his character to become a character. Edison's strategic brilliance and resilience in the face of setbacks played crucial roles in launching comebacks, including:

Experiencing Profound Deafness: Beginning at 12, Edison experienced profound deafness. Rather than considering it a disability, Edison viewed it as a blessing in disguise that allowed him to think and read with total concentration, intuitively, providing the motivation for many of his inventions and allowing him to shut himself off from "the particular kind of social intercourse that is small talk…all the meaningless sound that normal people hear."

Leaving Formal Education: At 12, Edison left formal education due to his hearing difficulties and unconventional learning style, as his teachers reportedly found him difficult to manage, labeling him hyperactive and inattentive. As a boy, Edison noted, "My refuge was the Detroit Public Library. I started, it now seems to me, with the first book on the bottom shelf and I went through the lot, one by one. I didn't read a few books. I read the library." Despite never attending high school or college, Edison was later awarded an honorary degree from Princeton in 1915.

Surviving the American Civil War: Edison was 14 years old when the American Civil War (1861-1865) broke out and struck out on his own at 16. During this period, Edison learned the emerging technology of the telegraph. He traveled around the country as a telegrapher. This job laid the foundation for his future inventions and innovations as he soon found himself at a disadvantage with the development of auditory signals for the telegraph.

Failing Early: At 21, Edison applied for his first patent, an electric legislative vote recorder. The device proved a commercial failure due to reluctance to use the machine. Henceforth, Edison decided he would not waste time inventing things no one wanted. By his 30s, Edison had become one of the most famous men in the world due to his groundbreaking inventions.

Facing Personal Tragedies: At 37, Edison experienced the death of his first wife, Mary Stilwell, after 13 years of marriage due to unknown causes at only 29 years of age. Her death dealt a significant emotional blow, leaving Edison a widower with three young children. Two years later, Edison married 20-year-old Mina Miller, the daughter of a prosperous Ohio manufacturer. They were together for 45 years until his death and had three more children.

Facing Competition: One of Edison's notable competitors was Nikola Tesla, who championed alternating current (AC) over Edison's direct current (DC). By 1889, AC began to dominate, leading to the "War of Currents," where AC eventually became the standard for electrical power distribution due to its efficiency in transmitting electricity over long distances, overcoming the limitations of Thomas Edison's direct current (DC) system.

Merging Businesses: In 1892, at age 45, Edison's company merged with another to form General Electric, signaling a significant shift in the competitive landscape and affecting his control over the market.

Finding Friendship: In 1896, at age 49, Thomas Edison met Henry Ford. This meeting began a close friendship between the two inventors, with Edison becoming a mentor to Ford. Their relationship played a significant role in the development of Ford's automobile innovations and Edison's continued technological advancements.

Contributing to World War I Efforts: In his late 60s and early 70s, Edison was actively involved in World War I (1914-1918) efforts, assisting the U.S. Navy in preparing to defend American shores by chairing the Naval Consulting Board. Unlike some of his contemporaries who advocated pacifism, Edison believed in preparedness and arming the United States military in response to potential threats, solidifying his legacy as a visionary and a patriot.

Embracing Failures as Learning Opportunities

Edison's story is a powerful example of how embracing failures as learning opportunities can lead to extraordinary achievements. His ability to persist through countless setbacks, learn from each failure, and continually refine his approach demonstrates the importance of resilience and strategic thinking in launching comebacks. Edison once said, "Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time." This attitude underpinned his career, turning failures into stepping stones for future successes.

Another Edison quote, "Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration," underscores the importance of hard work and patience. Edison's approach to his work was methodical and rigorous, relying on sustained effort and dedication to achieve breakthroughs.

Edison's philosophy on learning from failure is captured well in his words: "Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up." His relentless pursuit of incremental improvement through trial and error is a powerful reminder that patience and perseverance are critical to stagefully overcoming obstacles and achieving greatness.

Edison's Final Days

Thomas Edison died on October 18, 1931, at 84, due to complications from diabetes. Edison spent his final days at his home in West Orange, New Jersey, surrounded by his beloved family. When he died, his net worth was estimated at $170 million in today's dollars. As a complex historical figure who went from rags to riches, Thomas Edison is celebrated for his numerous inventions and contributions to modern technology. However, his legacy is not without controversy. Edison was known for his shrewd business tactics and, at times, unscrupulous ethics. His relentless dedication to work caused his personal life, particularly his family relationships, to suffer, highlighting the personal costs often accompanying great professional success and the need for a more balanced approach. But, like you, like me, Edison was only human.

And, although Edison died 92 years ago, Edison's legacy continues to illuminate our world, symbolizing humanity's journey from darkness to light. His invention of the incandescent light bulb not only revolutionized how we live and work but also set the foundation for countless technological advancements. Edison's relentless pursuit of innovation inspires us to step out of the shadows of doubt and into the brilliance of possibility to reconcile our dreams and realities. As we benefit from the electric light that brightens our homes and cities, we are reminded of Edison's enduring impact, lighting our way toward a brighter future.

His groundbreaking work powerfully reminds us how quickly things can change and the incredible impact that innovation can have on our world. Edison's legacy inspires the pursuit of innovative paths, demonstrating that significant accomplishments can leave a positive and lasting mark on history, even amid personal and professional complexities.

Tip of the Week: Reverse Engineer Your Goals

Today, take inspiration from Thomas Edison's strategic brilliance and resilience. Identify a significant goal in your life, envision the end result, and work backward to outline the necessary steps to invent it (as everything is more or less invented). Learn to recognize failures as the beginning and not the end; to guide you toward success by embracing as learnings.

Whether you're advancing your career, enhancing your relationships, or embarking on a new project, reverse engineering your goals while embracing failures as learning opportunities can provide a clear roadmap to growth.

Thank you for being part of our community as we take heart alone together. May we each grow to embrace our failures as learnings, to create a positive impact in the world.

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Thank you for reading! I appreciate you!

Wishing you and yours a lovely day.

Fondly,

Jen Forsman

Founder, Stagefully | Creator of the Stagefulness Philosophy

"Inspiring a better tomorrow, through a meaningful today."

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