Who invented the light bulb? I am guessing you answered Thomas Edison. Do you know who came up with the alternate current light bulbs that got used in every house? It was not Thomas Edison. He actually laughed at the idea when Nikola Tesla brought it to him. Today I get to share with you the biography of Nikola Tesla called Electrical Wizard: How Nikola Tesla Lit Up the World by Elizabeth Rusch and illustrated by Oliver Dominguez. This version is for 8 to 12 year olds. There is a picture book version for suggested for ages 7 to 10.
This biography tells the story of the Serbian man who was fascinated with electricity. By the time he was a teenager he made a vow to turn the power of Niagara Falls into electricity. He was the one who figured out alternate current when others including Thomas Edison said it was impossible. Tesla's accomplishments are amazing. It was his alternative current that lit up the Chicago World Fair in 1893. In 1896 he succeeds with his teenage vow and Niagara Falls sends electricity to Buffalo, New York. In 1916 he received the Edison Medal which he at first did not want since it honored Thomas Edison. He felt Edison shared in unearned glory. He did accept it though.
This book includes a timeline of his life and discoveries, information about how far his technology has taken us (think X-rays, fluorescent or neon lights, cell phones, radios and remote control cars), the rivalry between Tesla and Edison, and scientific notes and explanations of some of the things Tesla does in the book. Come learn about this amazing man and his world-changing accomplishments that affect our world today.
Our second book is Follow the Link: A Journey Through Technology by Tom Jackson and illustrated by Nick Shepherd. Human fascination with electricity has gone since the first human and lightning storm. This book discusses the history as well as what causes lightning in the sky. It goes through the different beliefs of the cause of lightning from gods to Einstein. It shares so much multicultural history-taking a look around the world of the experiments done with electricity and the development of capacitors and batteries. It shares about telephones to the internet and the connections made with technology.
This book has it all and it is not just the history but information about the developments and technology. There are explanations about how it works. At the end of the book there is a timeline as well as a glossary. This book is a wonderful introduction to technology as well as the perfect book for the technology enthusiast.
I hope you will take the time to check both of these books out. They are perfect for some STEM knowledge and activities.
This biography tells the story of the Serbian man who was fascinated with electricity. By the time he was a teenager he made a vow to turn the power of Niagara Falls into electricity. He was the one who figured out alternate current when others including Thomas Edison said it was impossible. Tesla's accomplishments are amazing. It was his alternative current that lit up the Chicago World Fair in 1893. In 1896 he succeeds with his teenage vow and Niagara Falls sends electricity to Buffalo, New York. In 1916 he received the Edison Medal which he at first did not want since it honored Thomas Edison. He felt Edison shared in unearned glory. He did accept it though.
This book includes a timeline of his life and discoveries, information about how far his technology has taken us (think X-rays, fluorescent or neon lights, cell phones, radios and remote control cars), the rivalry between Tesla and Edison, and scientific notes and explanations of some of the things Tesla does in the book. Come learn about this amazing man and his world-changing accomplishments that affect our world today.
Our second book is Follow the Link: A Journey Through Technology by Tom Jackson and illustrated by Nick Shepherd. Human fascination with electricity has gone since the first human and lightning storm. This book discusses the history as well as what causes lightning in the sky. It goes through the different beliefs of the cause of lightning from gods to Einstein. It shares so much multicultural history-taking a look around the world of the experiments done with electricity and the development of capacitors and batteries. It shares about telephones to the internet and the connections made with technology.
This book has it all and it is not just the history but information about the developments and technology. There are explanations about how it works. At the end of the book there is a timeline as well as a glossary. This book is a wonderful introduction to technology as well as the perfect book for the technology enthusiast.
I hope you will take the time to check both of these books out. They are perfect for some STEM knowledge and activities.
