About The Book
A dapper looking Thomas Edison, circa 1892.
Courtesy U.S. Dept. of the Interior, Edison National Historic Site.
While Edison looks great in this publicity photo, prior to his marriage to Mina Edison, his personal hygiene was often lacking. As one woman recalled, “Well, he was dirty…about his person. He wouldn’t take a bath. They had to force him to take [one].” [Chapter 2, p. 14]. Find out more about Edison’s character and personality by reading The Florida Life of Thomas Edison.
Mina Edison, the second wife of Thomas Edison, circa 1890.
Courtesy U.S. Dept. of the Interior, Edison National Historic Site.
On her first visit, Mina was not impressed by her new winter home in Florida. “No running water, no sewerage, no ice. Tough beef–no other meat–making it almost imperative to have food shipped from the north.” [chapter 3, p. 23] Despite her initial experience on the Florida frontier, Mina grew to love her winter home, which was later called Seminole Lodge. Find out more about the woman behind the famous man by reading The Florida Life of Thomas Edison.
Seminole Lodge, circa 1915.
Courtesy U.S. Dept. of the Interior, Edison National Historic Site.
Edison liked the royal palm trees in front of his winter home so much that he offered to supply the town of Fort Myers with the trees. His generous impulse was the beginning of a long dispute that threatened to spoil relations between the inventor and his neighbors. Find out what happened by reading Chapter 7 of The Florida Life of Thomas Edison.
Young Charles and Thomas Edison demonstrate their successful day fishing on the Caloosahatchee River, circa 1901.
Courtesy U.S. Dept. of the Interior, Edison National Historic Site.
More than anything else in the world, Edison wanted to catch a large tarpon, but the inventor had no luck with the great game fish, which often weighted 100 lbs. Then, one day in 1904, Edison finally realized his dream. But at the end of the day the great inventor was feeling a little less great. Find out why by reading chapter 7 of The Florida Life of Thomas Edison.