History 2710

Thomas Edison and the Making of Modern America

Thomas Edison, c. 1918-1919 (National Archives)

Reading:

• Collins and Gitleman: Introduction,  Part 1. "American Character," any three (3) additional sections--such as "Storage Batteries" or "The Fantastic Phonograph"

Discussion: Comment on your reading --How have the scholars made the case that Edison was part of creating modern America? What do we mean by "modern"? -- only technology? attitudes? a more humane and sustaining place? Was Edison typical or singular--a representative American yet one of a kind? Is American optimism about technology justified? Can technology solve all our problems? Does technology create new problems?

Additional Materials

• The Edison papers are at Rutgers: http://edison.rutgers.edu/
• Edison's Birthplace Museum: http://www.tomedison.org/
• "Edison's Homepage" as a fine display of photos: http://www.thomasedison.com/