The PBS series “American Experience” will air a documentary about Thomas Edison this Tuesday, so I invited its writer/director, Michelle Ferrari, to talk about the great inventor on my show.
We discussed his inventions, from the electric light bulb to the phonograph to the movie camera. I also asked her about other inventors he competed with or borrowed from, whether he liked being famous, and if anyone since has come close to him in the annals of invention. She also told an amazing story of why Edison paid his own son to change his name, and explained the rivalry between Thomas Edison (DC) and Nikola Tesla (AC).
Listen to our conversation here.