Edison, in his old age, after discovering the light bulb, was considered one of America’s wealthiest men, spending his ample income on his well-equipped laboratory, which was housed in a large building. This laboratory was the old man’s greatest love. Every day, a new invention took shape there, ready for optimization and entry into the market.
It was during these days that, in the middle of the night, the fire department notified Edison’s son that his father’s laboratory was on fire, and indeed, no one could do anything, and all the efforts of the officers were just to prevent the fire from spreading to other buildings. They requested that the matter be conveyed to the old man in an acceptable manner.
The son thought to himself that the old man would probably have a stroke upon hearing this news, so he refrained from waking him up and went to the scene himself. He was surprised to see the old man sitting on a chair in front of the laboratory building, watching the burning result of his entire life.
The son decided not to go forward and not to bother his father. He thought that the father was experiencing the worst moments of his life. Suddenly, the father turned his head and saw his son, and with a loud and joyful voice, he said:
“My son, do you see how beautiful this is?!
Do you see the colors of the flames?
It’s amazing!
I think those purple flames are due to the burning of sulfur alongside phosphorus!
Oh! My God, it’s so beautiful!
I wish your mother was here to see this beautiful scene. Few people will have the chance to see such a beautiful sight in their lifetime.
What do you think, my son?”
The son, bewildered and confused, replied:
“Father, your entire life is burning in this fire, and you’re talking about the beauty of the flames? How can you? My whole body is trembling, and you’re sitting here calmly?”
The father said: “My son, both you and I can’t do anything about it. Nor can the officers who are doing their best. At this moment, the best thing to do is to enjoy the view that will never be repeated.
Let’s think about the reconstruction or renovation of the laboratory tomorrow. Now is not the time for that. Look at the beautiful flames that you won’t see again!
Thomas Alva Edison continued to work in his new laboratory the following year and, in the same year, presented one of the greatest inventions in human history, the phonograph. Yes, he invented the gramophone just one year after that incident.
