Thomas Alva Edison - Revision history

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Additional resources

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	== Additional resources ==		== Additional resources ==
			* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Edison Thomas Edison] in Wikipedia. This is a very thorough and complete article covering all aspects of his life, work, and metaphysical beliefs.
	* [https://www.theosophy.world/encyclopedia/edison-thomas-alva Edison, Thomas Alva] in Theosophy World.		* [https://www.theosophy.world/encyclopedia/edison-thomas-alva Edison, Thomas Alva] in Theosophy World.
	* [https://www.theosophy.world/encyclopedia/tasimeter Tasimeter] in Theosophy World.		* [https://www.theosophy.world/encyclopedia/tasimeter Tasimeter] in Theosophy World.

SysopJ: /* Additional resources */

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Additional resources

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	== Additional resources ==		== Additional resources ==
			* [https://www.theosophy.world/encyclopedia/edison-thomas-alva Edison, Thomas Alva] in Theosophy World.
	* [https://www.theosophy.world/encyclopedia/tasimeter Tasimeter] in Theosophy World.		* [https://www.theosophy.world/encyclopedia/tasimeter Tasimeter] in Theosophy World.

SysopJ: /* Tasimeter */

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Tasimeter

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	In 1931 Karl Jansky built the first radio telescope, and five years later, amateur astronomer Grote Reber applied this technique in the first application of a new branch of astronomy that became known as radio astronomy.<ref>[http://io9.com/that-time-thomas-edison-almost-invented-the-radio-teles-1336717935# That Time Thomas Edison Almost Invented the Radio Telescope] at io9.com</ref> Thus, the Master's prophecy was fulfilled about 50 years later. However, Edison was the first scientist on record to have proposed an experiment to detect radio waves from the Sun, in 1890.<ref>[http://www.nrao.edu/whatisra/hist_prehist.shtml#tedison# Pre-History of Radio Astronomy] at National Radio Astronomy Observatory</ref>		In 1931 Karl Jansky built the first radio telescope, and five years later, amateur astronomer Grote Reber applied this technique in the first application of a new branch of astronomy that became known as radio astronomy.<ref>[http://io9.com/that-time-thomas-edison-almost-invented-the-radio-teles-1336717935# That Time Thomas Edison Almost Invented the Radio Telescope] at io9.com</ref> Thus, the Master's prophecy was fulfilled about 50 years later. However, Edison was the first scientist on record to have proposed an experiment to detect radio waves from the Sun, in 1890.<ref>[http://www.nrao.edu/whatisra/hist_prehist.shtml#tedison# Pre-History of Radio Astronomy] at National Radio Astronomy Observatory</ref>

			== Additional resources ==
			* [https://www.theosophy.world/encyclopedia/tasimeter Tasimeter] in Theosophy World.

	== Notes ==		== Notes ==

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Phonograph recordings

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	On [[December 13]] of that year, [[Henry Steel Olcott\|Col. Olcott]] went to Menlo Park, to see Edison about the phonograph.		On [[December 13]] of that year, [[Henry Steel Olcott\|Col. Olcott]] went to Menlo Park, to see Edison about the phonograph.
	<blockquote>		<blockquote>
	I had bought an Edison phonograph of the original pattern, and on that evening quite a number of our members and friends, among them a Mr. Johnston, whom Edison had sent as his personal representative (he being unavoidably absent), talked into the voice-receiver messages to our then known and unknown brothers in India. The several tinfoil sheets, properly marked for identification, were carefully removed from the cylinder, packed up, and they are still kept in the Adyar Library, for the edification of future times. Among the voices kept are those of H. P. B. – a very sharp and clear record, – myself, Mr. Judge and his brother John, [[Alexander Wilder\|Prof. Alex. Wilder]], Miss Sarah Cowell, two Messrs. Laffan, Mr. Clough, Mr. D. A. Curtis, Mr. Griggs, Mrs. S. R. Wells, Mrs. and Miss Amer, [[John A. Weisse\|Dr. J. A. Weisse]], Mr. Shinn, Mr. Terriss, Mr. Maynard, Mr. E. H. Johnston, [[William R. O'Donovan\|Mr. O’Donovan]], etc., of whom all were clever, and some very well known as authors, journalists, painters, sculptors, musicians, and in other ways.<ref>Henry Steel Olcott, ''Old Diary Leaves'' First Series (Adyar, Madras: The Theosophical Publishing House, 1974), 480-481.</ref>		I had bought an Edison phonograph of the original pattern, and on that evening quite a number of our members and friends, among them a Mr. Johnston, whom Edison had sent as his personal representative (he being unavoidably absent), talked into the voice-receiver messages to our then known and unknown brothers in India. The several tinfoil sheets, properly marked for identification, were carefully removed from the cylinder, packed up, and they are still kept in the Adyar Library, for the edification of future times. Among the voices kept are those of H. P. B. – a very sharp and clear record, – myself, [[William Quan Judge\|Mr. Judge]] and [[John Henry Judge\|his brother John]], [[Alexander Wilder\|Prof. Alex. Wilder]], Miss Sarah Cowell, two Messrs. Laffan, Mr. Clough, Mr. D. A. Curtis, Mr. Griggs, Mrs. S. R. Wells, Mrs. and Miss Amer, [[John A. Weisse\|Dr. J. A. Weisse]], Mr. Shinn, Mr. Terriss, Mr. Maynard, Mr. E. H. Johnston, [[William R. O'Donovan\|Mr. O’Donovan]], etc., of whom all were clever, and some very well known as authors, journalists, painters, sculptors, musicians, and in other ways.<ref>Henry Steel Olcott, ''Old Diary Leaves'' First Series (Adyar, Madras: The Theosophical Publishing House, 1974), 480-481.</ref>
	</blockquote>		</blockquote>
	A footnote to this entry, written in 1895, tells the fate of the recordings:		A footnote to this entry, written in 1895, tells the fate of the recordings:

Alejandro Daniele at 18:18, 16 June 2022

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	[[Category:Engineers\|Edison, Thomas]]		[[Category:Engineers\|Edison, Thomas]]
	[[Category:People\|Edison, Thomas]]		[[Category:People\|Edison, Thomas]]
			[[es:Thomas Alva Edison]]

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Theosophical involvement

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	== Theosophical involvement==		== Theosophical involvement==
			[[File:Edison pledge to TS.png\|right\|230px\|thumb\|Pledge of secrecy]]
	[[File:Edison and Phonograph.jpg\|right\|150px\|thumb\|Thomas Edison with his second phonograph, in April 1878]]		[[File:Edison and Phonograph.jpg\|right\|150px\|thumb\|Thomas Edison with his second phonograph, in April 1878]]
	On [[April 5]], ~~1878, Edison~~ sent in his signed application for Fellowship in the [[Theosophical Society]], becoming a member in New Jersey.<ref>Henry Steel Olcott, ''Old Diary Leaves'' First Series (Adyar, Madras: The Theosophical Publishing House, 1974), 466.</ref> The application was approved on [[August 27]], 1878, placing him as the 162nd person to be admitted to the Society.<ref>Theosophical Society General Membership Register, 1875-1942 at [http://tsmembers.org/ http://tsmembers.org/]. See book 1, entry 162 (website file: 1A/14).</ref>		On April 4, 1878, Edison signed a pledge of secrecy [shown at right], and the next day, [[April 5]], he sent in his signed application for Fellowship in the [[Theosophical Society]], becoming a member in New Jersey.<ref>Henry Steel Olcott, ''Old Diary Leaves'' First Series (Adyar, Madras: The Theosophical Publishing House, 1974), 466.</ref> The application was approved on [[August 27]], 1878, placing him as the 162nd person to be admitted to the Society.<ref>Theosophical Society General Membership Register, 1875-1942 at [http://tsmembers.org/ http://tsmembers.org/]. See book 1, entry 162 (website file: 1A/14).</ref>

	Olcott wrote of his conversations with the inventor:		Olcott wrote of his conversations with the inventor:

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Quoted in Isis Unveiled

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	=== Quoted in ''Isis Unveiled'' ===		=== Quoted in ''Isis Unveiled'' ===

	In Volume I, Chapter 5 of [[Isis Unveiled (book)\|''Isis Unveiled'']], Madame Blavatsky quoted an article from the ''New York Sun'' about an new natural force discovered by Edison:		In Volume I, Chapter 5 of [[Isis Unveiled (book)\|''Isis Unveiled'']], Madame Blavatsky quoted an article from the ''New York Sun'' about a new natural force discovered by Edison:

	<blockquote>		<blockquote>

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	<blockquote>I do not believe that matter is inert, acted upon by an outside force. To me it seems that every atom is possessed by a certain amount of primitive intelligence: look at the thousand ways in which atoms of hydrogen combine with those of other elements. . . Do you mean to say they do this without intelligence?<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''Collected Writings'' vol. XII (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1980), 130. Originally printed in ''Lucifer'' 6.31 (March, 1890), 8. Attributed by Blavatsky as "quoted in the London magazines from ''Harper's''."</ref></blockquote>		<blockquote>I do not believe that matter is inert, acted upon by an outside force. To me it seems that every atom is possessed by a certain amount of primitive intelligence: look at the thousand ways in which atoms of hydrogen combine with those of other elements. . . Do you mean to say they do this without intelligence?<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''Collected Writings'' vol. XII (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1980), 130. Originally printed in ''Lucifer'' 6.31 (March, 1890), 8. Attributed by Blavatsky as "quoted in the London magazines from ''Harper's''."</ref></blockquote>

			[[File:Edison discovery.jpg\|right\|250px\|thumb\|Article quoted in ''Isis Unveiled'']]
			=== Quoted in ''Isis Unveiled'' ===

			In Volume I, Chapter 5 of [[Isis Unveiled (book)\|''Isis Unveiled'']], Madame Blavatsky quoted an article from the ''New York Sun'' about an new natural force discovered by Edison:

			<blockquote>
			Absurd and unscientific as may appear our comparison of a fictitious [[vril]] invented by the great novelist [Edward Bulwer-Lytton in his novel ''The Coming Race''], and the primal force of the equally great experimentalist, with the [[Kabbalah\|kabalistic]] [[astral light]], it is nevertheless the true definition of this force. Discoveries are constantly being made to corroborate the statement thus boldly put forth. Since we began to write this part of our book, an announcement has been made in a number of papers of the supposed discovery of a new force by Mr. Edison, the electrician, of Newark, New Jersey, which force seems to have little in common with electricity, or galvanism, except the principle of conductivity. If demonstrated, it may remain for a long time under some pseudonymous scientific name; but, nevertheless, it will be but one of the numerous family of children brought forth from the commencement of time by our kabalistic mother, the ''Astral Virgin''. In fact, the discoverer says that, "it is as distinct, and has as regular laws as heat, magnetism, or electricity." The journal which contains the first account of the discovery adds that, "Mr. Edison thinks that it exists in connection with heat, and that it can also be generated by independent and as ''yet undiscovered means''."<ref>''Isis Unveiled'' Volume 1, Chapter 5. See [https://www.theosociety.org/pasadena/isis/iu1-05.htm page 146]. The quotation is from "A Discovery in Science: Edison's New Force" ''Democrat and Chronicle'' of Rochester, New York, published on 02 Dec 1875, page 3, which was reprinted from the ''New York Sun'' of December 1.</ref>
			</blockquote>

	== Tasimeter ==		== Tasimeter ==

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Theosophical involvement

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	Having been acquainted with several noted American inventors, and learnt from them the psychological processes by which they severally got the first ideas of their inventions, I described these to Edison and asked him how his discoveries came to him. He said that often, perhaps while walking on Broadway with an acquaintance, and talking about quite other matters, amid the din and roar of the street, the thought would suddenly flash into his mind that such a desired thing might be accomplished in a certain way. He would hasten home, set to work on the idea, and not give it up until he had either succeeded or found the thing impracticable.<ref>Henry Steel Olcott, ''Old Diary Leaves'' First Series (Adyar, Madras: The Theosophical Publishing House, 1974), 466-468.</ref>		Having been acquainted with several noted American inventors, and learnt from them the psychological processes by which they severally got the first ideas of their inventions, I described these to Edison and asked him how his discoveries came to him. He said that often, perhaps while walking on Broadway with an acquaintance, and talking about quite other matters, amid the din and roar of the street, the thought would suddenly flash into his mind that such a desired thing might be accomplished in a certain way. He would hasten home, set to work on the idea, and not give it up until he had either succeeded or found the thing impracticable.<ref>Henry Steel Olcott, ''Old Diary Leaves'' First Series (Adyar, Madras: The Theosophical Publishing House, 1974), 466-468.</ref>
	</blockquote>		</blockquote>

			=== Phonograph recordings ===
	On [[December 13]] of that year, [[Henry Steel Olcott\|Col. Olcott]] went to Menlo Park, to see Edison about the phonograph.		On [[December 13]] of that year, [[Henry Steel Olcott\|Col. Olcott]] went to Menlo Park, to see Edison about the phonograph.
			<blockquote>
			I had bought an Edison phonograph of the original pattern, and on that evening quite a number of our members and friends, among them a Mr. Johnston, whom Edison had sent as his personal representative (he being unavoidably absent), talked into the voice-receiver messages to our then known and unknown brothers in India. The several tinfoil sheets, properly marked for identification, were carefully removed from the cylinder, packed up, and they are still kept in the Adyar Library, for the edification of future times. Among the voices kept are those of H. P. B. – a very sharp and clear record, – myself, Mr. Judge and his brother John, [[Alexander Wilder\|Prof. Alex. Wilder]], Miss Sarah Cowell, two Messrs. Laffan, Mr. Clough, Mr. D. A. Curtis, Mr. Griggs, Mrs. S. R. Wells, Mrs. and Miss Amer, [[John A. Weisse\|Dr. J. A. Weisse]], Mr. Shinn, Mr. Terriss, Mr. Maynard, Mr. E. H. Johnston, [[William R. O'Donovan\|Mr. O’Donovan]], etc., of whom all were clever, and some very well known as authors, journalists, painters, sculptors, musicians, and in other ways.<ref>Henry Steel Olcott, ''Old Diary Leaves'' First Series (Adyar, Madras: The Theosophical Publishing House, 1974), 480-481.</ref>
			</blockquote>
			A footnote to this entry, written in 1895, tells the fate of the recordings:
			<blockquote>
			Quite recently – viz., in May, 1895 – I sent these tinfoil records to Edison’s London office, to see if they might not be received on one of the modern wax cylinders and so saved for posterity. Unfortunately, nothing could be done with them, the indentations made by the voices having become almost flattened out. It is a great pity, for otherwise we might have had duplicates taken off the original, and thus have had H. P. B.’s strong voice speaking audibly at our local meetings all over the world on “White Lotus Day,” the anniversary of her death. <ref>Henry Steel Olcott, ''Old Diary Leaves'' First Series (Adyar, Madras: The Theosophical Publishing House, 1974), 480-481.</ref>
			</blockquote>

			=== K.H. on Edison ===
	In October 1882, [[Koot Hoomi\|Master K.H.]] wrote to [[Alfred Percy Sinnett\|A. P. Sinnett]] that Edison was "a good deal protected by [[Morya\|M.]]"<ref>Vicente Hao Chin, Jr., ''The Mahatma Letters to A.P. Sinnett in chronological sequence'' No. 93b (Quezon City: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), 325.</ref>		In October 1882, [[Koot Hoomi\|Master K.H.]] wrote to [[Alfred Percy Sinnett\|A. P. Sinnett]] that Edison was "a good deal protected by [[Morya\|M.]]"<ref>Vicente Hao Chin, Jr., ''The Mahatma Letters to A.P. Sinnett in chronological sequence'' No. 93b (Quezon City: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), 325.</ref>

			=== Blavatsky on Edison ===
	Although a number of his views agreed with the [[Theosophy\|Theosophical teachings]], he was never very active in Society. As [[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky\|H. P. Blavatsky]] wrote in 1890:		Although a number of his views agreed with the [[Theosophy\|Theosophical teachings]], he was never very active in Society. As [[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky\|H. P. Blavatsky]] wrote in 1890:

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Theosophical involvement

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	== Theosophical involvement==		== Theosophical involvement==
	[[File:Edison and Phonograph.jpg\|right\|150px\|thumb\|Thomas Edison with his second phonograph, in April 1878]]		[[File:Edison and Phonograph.jpg\|right\|150px\|thumb\|Thomas Edison with his second phonograph, in April 1878]]
	On [[April 5]], 1878, Edison sent in his signed application for Fellowship in the [[Theosophical Society]], becoming a member in New Jersey.<ref>Henry Steel Olcott, ''Old Diary Leaves'' First Series (Adyar, Madras: The Theosophical Publishing House, 1974), 466.</ref> The application was approved on [[August 27]], 1878, placing him as the 162nd person to be admitted to the Society.<ref>Theosophical Society General Membership Register, 1875-1942 at [http://tsmembers.org/ http://tsmembers.org/]. See book 1, entry 162 (website file: 1A/14).</ref> On [[December 13]] of that year, [[Henry Steel Olcott\|Col. Olcott]] went to Menlo Park, to see Edison about the phonograph.		On [[April 5]], 1878, Edison sent in his signed application for Fellowship in the [[Theosophical Society]], becoming a member in New Jersey.<ref>Henry Steel Olcott, ''Old Diary Leaves'' First Series (Adyar, Madras: The Theosophical Publishing House, 1974), 466.</ref> The application was approved on [[August 27]], 1878, placing him as the 162nd person to be admitted to the Society.<ref>Theosophical Society General Membership Register, 1875-1942 at [http://tsmembers.org/ http://tsmembers.org/]. See book 1, entry 162 (website file: 1A/14).</ref>

			Olcott wrote of his conversations with the inventor:
			<blockquote>
			On the 5th April, T. A. Edison sent me his signed application for membership. I had had to see him about exhibiting his electrical inventions at the Paris Exposition of that year... Edison and I got to talking about occult forces, and he interested me greatly by the remark that he had done some experimenting in that direction. His aim was to try whether a pendulum, suspended on the wall of his private laboratory, could be made to move by will-force. To test this he had used as conductors, wire of various metals, simple and compound, and tubes containing different fluids, one end of the conductor being applied to his forehead, the other connected with the pendulum. As no results have since been published, I presume that the experiments did not succeed...

			Having been acquainted with several noted American inventors, and learnt from them the psychological processes by which they severally got the first ideas of their inventions, I described these to Edison and asked him how his discoveries came to him. He said that often, perhaps while walking on Broadway with an acquaintance, and talking about quite other matters, amid the din and roar of the street, the thought would suddenly flash into his mind that such a desired thing might be accomplished in a certain way. He would hasten home, set to work on the idea, and not give it up until he had either succeeded or found the thing impracticable.<ref>Henry Steel Olcott, ''Old Diary Leaves'' First Series (Adyar, Madras: The Theosophical Publishing House, 1974), 466-468.</ref>
			</blockquote>
			On [[December 13]] of that year, [[Henry Steel Olcott\|Col. Olcott]] went to Menlo Park, to see Edison about the phonograph.

	In October 1882, [[Koot Hoomi\|Master K.H.]] wrote to [[Alfred Percy Sinnett\|A. P. Sinnett]] that Edison was "a good deal protected by [[Morya\|M.]]"<ref>Vicente Hao Chin, Jr., ''The Mahatma Letters to A.P. Sinnett in chronological sequence'' No. 93b (Quezon City: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), 325.</ref>		In October 1882, [[Koot Hoomi\|Master K.H.]] wrote to [[Alfred Percy Sinnett\|A. P. Sinnett]] that Edison was "a good deal protected by [[Morya\|M.]]"<ref>Vicente Hao Chin, Jr., ''The Mahatma Letters to A.P. Sinnett in chronological sequence'' No. 93b (Quezon City: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), 325.</ref>