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.
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I love to fish
Now we have solar lightbulbs which is cool.
I think this is really cool. How fishing sparked such an idea.
That’s is really awesome he got his idea from fishing.
I love watching these science lives!
super cool!
this was really interesting
I love fish! All kinds!
i thought it was fantastic how a simple experience helped lead to an important invention like the lightbulb. also i’ve been listening to the apple music live podcasts and youtube videos instead of watching them on here so i can comment right away.
i love fishing!
This video was very funny, thank you science live!
so awesome
This was really cool too watch and I learned a lot!
It’s like an upgraded Rubiks cube
I love fishing with my family!
What a great innovation
I really enjoyed this live!
I have never finished with a fly l should try
So interesting to learn that Edison liked to fish!
I love learning about inventers. It would be cool to invente something!
It’s fascinating how nature move a brilliant mind. Thanks Thomas for your amazing invention I can’t survive in darkness
The Dynamo is cool looking.
It was really funny that Edison never caught fish because he never used bait so he can think. Im glad you were able to finally catch your fish.
Fishing is not as easy as it looks lol
love fishing! this interesting
I love fishing!
That video was really cool and I loved watching how Edison was inventing
that was really cool Dr Roger Billings keep up the good work.
Great LIVE!
amazing how such little things can shape our lives so much!
Loved this science live!
I love fishing!
Great LIVE!
Fishing is super cool, I love it
Wow super cool, I love fishing!
cool stuff
I think my favorite part is when Edison’s son catches the 100 pounder and Edison caught the 40 pounder even though Edison spent almost his entire life trying to catch one🤣
Hearing the full story about how Thomas Edison invented the lightbulb was so cool! I had no idea it all started with a fishing trip! Who would’ve thought!
I think it’s crazy how far we have come with lite.
woah, this is so cool
I could watch this episode a ton
It’s amazing how every day hobbies can lead to break through inventions.
I thought that light cube that seemed to be a puzzle was really cool.
amazing video can’t wait for the next!
i enjoyed this episode, it shows how we can learn new from just basic hobbies.
Very interesting to see how much lightbulbs have improved.
fishing is my favorite
fishing is fun
I never knew that before
Great episode
We go fishing but I would not of thought of an invention.
I don’t think I ever knew that Thomas Edison was a fisherman!
Fishing is relaxing
Did Edison ever catch another Silver King?
Didn’t know stem and water could help make electricity great video
I never knew how a fishing trip of all things affected the lightbulb’s invention.
I loved watching about how fish could relate to other things !
this is actually really interesting i didnt know most the stuff that was talked on i learned so much
I didn’t know bamboo was used to make the lightbulb. That was very fascinating.
I didn’t know bamboo was used to make lightbulbs. That was really cool.
I really liked that episode!
A great video
I like to fish too. I haven’t been in a while though.
hey from texas
Hi hi from Mississippi I always love science live!!!!
Can y’all release some more merch??
I love fishing it is so peaceful
I really like fishing and the way they showed it was amazing
I ❤️ Acellus
Dr.Billings you are a mentor and a amazing example for all
I love fishing.
I love fishing like Edison did
I love fishing like Edison did.
I love Acellus
I love fishing just like Edison did
Try to catch a fish with a fly
This was awesome!
This was a fun watch!
the cube test was my favorite part!
didn’t know this!!
A great invention came from a hobby.
love fishing!
Thank you for the story of Thomas Edison.
Solveig loves science!
I love science live!
Thank you for making this easier to understand.
I love fishing too! Interesting episode like always!
I liked this one alot
I love fishing!
i love science live!
The light up cube test was cool
I love sicence live!!!
another wednesday with another interesting lesson thank you!!
It is amazing how fishing helped create the lightbulb.
I always thought that Edison invented things that produce light not just the light bulb, you learn something new every day.
This was so interesting to watch
This is really cool
Thomas Edison is one of my favorite history characters.
I love fishing!
lightbulbs are amazing these days what would we do without it
Fishing and lightbulbs…who would have put those together. Cool!
Learning about Thomas Edison is cool!
Happy monday!
very cool video!
Thanks to fishing and magnets!
Wow, this is very interesting to know 🙂 I didn’t know the story about fish and fishing 🙂
This is so interesting, never thought a simple fishing trip would change the course of history
That was awesome.
Hi from Maryland.
Its amazing that fishing is so close to science in so many ways.
I didnt know edison liked fishing
such greatness!!
My dad takes me fishing
Wow fishing i always wanted to go fishing.
interesting- great information!
i loved fishing when i was young
This is interesting
Wow i never knew about this before
Fishing is cool
I like fishing
how many versions of the light bulb did he live to see
I want to try catching a trout with a fly, and who knows, maybe I’ll make a scientific breakthrough along the way! I’ve also been wanting a Newton’s Cradle for a while now, it’s really cool.
This is always the coolest stuff I hear all week
Fishing really did progress throughout years
The Newtons Cradle really is satisfying, love this episode!
so cool i love watching these
I swear I’ve seen this Science Live before… That self-solving Rubik’s cube is giving me serious déjà vu.
Very interesting video!
that was so cool
Super interesting!
I love fishing.
This was very cool to watch
I never knew you could move electricity, so cool!
I love fishing.,…
That was really interesting
Thank you Dr Billings
I always learn something new!
it was awesome.
i love fishing!
wow this is so cool
This was so interesting to learn about!
i love to fish and hearing this was very interesting
I love Science Live!
I loved learning this it was amazing.
Cool videos to watch. Keep them coming.
Love science live.
That was so cool that he got inspired by fishing
I love fishing! This was a cool live!
I love fishing, how cool that this is where it all took place.
The light up cube was so cool.
Edison made the lightbulb with bamboo.
i love fishing
I wish I came up with ideas like this fishing since I fish all the time
Thomas Edison has over 1,000 patents. Thomas Edison tested 6,000 materials to find 1 that helped the light bulb run longer.
I love fishing
This one was really interesting to watch!! I learn so much from them
loved this it was so great.
I find it really cool that something as simple as a fishing trip played a part in inventing the lightbulb!
Who knew fishing was so relevant to the lightbulb!
I never knew that about Edison fishing thank you!
I love fishing
So interesting
I didn’t know fishing was so important to the light bulb.
It’s a very connected world to go fishing and the use of a bamboo pole to help with lightbulb inventions.
I didnt know he liked to fish
wow that’s so cool
Can’t believe he tested 6,000 materials to find the right one to make the light bulb last the longest
I like fishing with my grandpa. Your fishing story was funny!
I love the Science Live videos, I can’t wait to learn about how a fishing trip helped Edison invent the lightbulb. Can’t wait for the next Science Live either 🙂
I’m curious on how a fishing trip could inspire someone to make the lightbulb.
Interesting to learn fishing is science related.
I love learning about Edison! And his inventions.
this was a cool watch
Fishing is so much fun!
Wow thx ROGER BILLINGS!