How a Fishing Trip Helped Edison Invent the Lightbulb
At the heart of the story is a fishing trip that changed history. While most people think Edison simply worked tirelessly in his laboratory, the truth is far more interesting. A day spent fishing gave Edison the key insight he needed to find the perfect filament — the tiny thread inside the bulb that makes it actually work. It’s the kind of story that reminds us that great inventors keep their eyes open everywhere, not just in the lab.
But this episode has a second story that students love even more. Edison and his son had a fishing contest — and what happened during that contest reveals the kind of man Edison really was. Warm, competitive, curious, and endlessly creative even when he wasn’t working.
About DrB
Read more about DrB »
About the Roger Billings Scholarship Program »
Great science live. Have a great weekend. Jack
i thought it was really interesting when they talked about fifo.
I loved the beginning music!
that is a cool intro
Hello from the Carolinas!
hello from houston
I love science live
I love learning about Edison.
this science live was so cool
I love fishing
I really enjoyed this video and think it is my favorite because I also love fishing. I find that when you are in nature, you are able to be a more creative thinker and understand the natural laws of the universe.
it was really cool to see what Thomas Edison’s light bulb
Maybe I should get better at fishing lol
Hahah Charles catching the larger fish, 100 pounder was funny
That rubix cube looking device seems pretty neat!
I loved this live a lot!!!
Hi from Ny! I didnt know that a fishing trip Edison invent the light bulb ! Thats so cool😎
Thanks Dr Billings
Hello from Georgia thanks for another great science live!!!
I really like this episode. It is very cool to see that these inventors had a life outside of inventing and engineering!
science live teaches you way better then in person teaching
I love to fish for fun. This episode was very interesting just like many others.
Boat rides are very fun. Now I want to learn how to fish.
I wouldn’t have guessed a fishing trip would lead to the breakthrough for the filament! Great episode!
Love the history of Edison and the invention of the light bulb!
i love science live!
i loved this episode
I love fishing!! Love to hear that such a great mind was an avid fisher!
This live was amazing!
How did Edison possibly test 6000 materials for the lightbulb? That would have taken so much time
One of my favorite parts of the week!
hello from Oklahoma
It was really entertaining and enjoyable to see and hear a lot about technology throughout this live, like the Rubix cube and how Thomas Edison created the light bulb. Overall amazing live, thank you Acellus!
I love how science live teaches me a lot I don’t know.
Thank you. I love fishing so much
Thank you so much for these videos, it helps me learn so much about this amazing program.
This was very intriguing!!
Wow! I love fishing!
Very interesting live!
Hello from texas
Hello from Colorado! I love fishing with my dad, so cool!
I missed this episode cause our power was out. can’t wait to watch. I’m a big fisherman. lol
I love learning new things every week during science live!
hey im from louisiana
I HAVE NEVER BEEN FISHING BUT UT SEEMS SO FUN
How are glow sticks made?
I really loved this one
This was so interesting!
I love bamboo! So tall!
Surprisingly people here in Texas use bamboo in their yards.
It is awesome how a fishing trip helped Thomas Edison invent a the lightbulb.
Great Job.
How every live makes it fun and interesting
I cant wait to watch another one of these entertaining videos.
I love learning cool things about science 🙂
This episode was very cool.
Wow I learned a lot from this live!
Science Live Rocks!
It’s great to hear more of this backstory! Always fun learning with Science Live.
I love fishing, this was very interesting.
It’s an interesting story
his first bulb was cotton fiber!
Hello from utah
It’s awesome to learn about Thomas Edison
I may start reading more about him.
This live was fire!
I love how science live teaches me a lot I don’t know.
Acellus makes learning so much easier than any program I have tried before
I enjoy Science Lives!
that is amazing!!
Backstories are awesome!!!
wow this is soo cool that is also soo interesting.
I love fishing! This was very interesting.
I love science live
Wow! It’s so cool how an activity that Edison did just for fun helped him find the answer to his problems. You never know where you may find inspiration
Surprisingly I’ve never went fishing, I should go!
Ok that was fun, maybe I should start fishing lol, its funny how people make amazing things from an Idea of something so ordinary …. until Next week Scince Live
The episode opened up a completely different perspective on fishing!
It was very interesting hi from new York
This is very interesting!
i love science live
this episode was great!
I love science live!
Hello! loved it this week!
look forward to each week and watching and learning new things
Awesome show!
I love fishing,
Hello from Mississippi!
I like the cube.
me to
History is so fun to learn about, especially when you find out how common day things were invented.
who made the first computer that can respond to questions
Such a good video! Love the history!
I love going fishing. I go every summer to the lake and on the boat.
I love fishing! This is cool!
The colorful cube at the beginning is so cool.
I love fishing with my dad and great grandpa.
The lightbulb history is very interesting!
it’s amazing the chain reaction of sparks of ideas. The light bulb to the generator. Thanks for the advice about goals. I’ll never meet goals if I don’t set them.
Great perspective Sophia – growth really does start with a single spark. Keep setting those goals!
loved the lesson
Wow, fishing is crazy science.
What good is a light bulb without electricity- I love this
I love that he didn’t give up even after so many tries to make the light bulb.
The story about Edison fishing without bait was pretty funny. I loved this science live!
this was a very interesting live
I love watching Science Live! hello from Tennessee!
Bring it on I’m ready to take on the world!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This science I’ve was so interesting, I really enjoyed it <3
Cool breakdown of how unexpected moments can spark big inventions.
Heyyy from Alabama
This lesson was pretty cool.
Interesting Fact: It is said that Edison had 999 unsuccessful attempts with the lightbulb before getting it right wow!
I love this video. It was very interesting
It’s interesting to hear that a fishing trip inspired making better light bulbs! Inspiration can come from things you do in everyday life:)
Love Acellus!
Funny how a fishing trip sparked an invention that lights up the world.
A thread from a bamboo was used for the filament in a light bulb to make it last longer! What a great idea Edison!!!!!
i loved the fishing story
I watch these every week!!
Science live is very intelligent!
Science Live is super entertaining!
I love fishing with my dad.
hello from MN!
Hello from South Carolina!!
love this video
Loved the story about Thomas Edison.
great video! love science
Fishing is my favorite hobby so cool!
A very interesting video.
I love fishing! I look forward to it every Spring with my Dad!
We don’t fish but my dad likes to.
I really enjoyed this Science live because I always learn something new
Thanks DrB
I think my parents will love that idea!
10/10
The fishing story was funny.
That’s so interesting! I feel like scientists always discover things in the weirdest ways!
Who would have known that fishing can be such an inspiration – super cool! Joshua Hoffman
That’s really cool how a small fishing trip led to an amazing big invention!
I loved this science live! I really enjoy fishing.
Who knew fishing is so important in science.
I love fishing! Amazing video!
I love fishing and this live was so cool
science is the best
Another great episode! I had no idea a fishing trip helped Edison invent the lightbulb! That’s so fascinating!
In the mornings I love going outside and getting some sun, helps my mind wake up, and gets me energized. Awesome to see that activities like that helped invent things we use every day.
Science live is pretty interesting
Thanks for the information on Thomas Edison. Very informative. Thanks Acellus
Great information about Thomas Edison. Very informative. Thanks Acellus.
I like the fishing stuff and also the Kansas so now i gonna go.
I really liked this video!
This is truly amazing.
This was really interesting!!!!!!
i love science lives!!
Fishing isn’t just good for the soul, apparently it’s good for the brain also!!! Edison had a great idea!
That will be so fun to see Artimus 4 land on the moon in 2028!!!!
Acellus is awesome!
Im going to Kansas to graduate see you Mr billings!
We can’t wait to see you walk the stage Izhaq! 🎓
Edison was an amazing guy. Great episode.
Fishing is so fun! I love seeing all the different animals
I love science live so much!
I love when history gets brought up
provided Thomas Edison with the crucial inspiration for the lightbulb filament
This Episode about how a fishing trip helped Edison invent the lightbulb is so cool.
Who would’ve thought that would evolve to become an invention.
this was super fascinating
Fishing is my favorite thing.
hi from Ny
Hello from Cali!
Thomas Edison is from my state.
great video this week !
I love Acellus
Fishing isn’t just good for the soul, apparently it’s good for your brain too! What a great idea Edison had!!!
Thats so crazy how this led to one of the best inventions!
science and history are amazing! i love these episodes!
Dr. Billings can tell a story! 🙂
I love to fish!
wow! who knew fishing could change the history of lightbulbs. very interesting.
Wow, what a coincidence! It sounds very unusual without context, but it is nice that a fishing trip is what helped Thomas Edison invent something that would change the world.
This is such a fun video,
very cool video loved how fishing help edison find electricity