Thomas Edison Multiple Choice Questions and Answers for Practice

16. What inspired Edison to work on the telegraph?

1. His father’s work
2. His first job
3. A book he read
4. His fascination with communication

17. Which famous rival of Edison supported alternating current (AC)?

1. Alexander Graham Bell
2. Nikola Tesla
3. George Westinghouse
4. James Maxwell

18. What illness affected Edison in his youth?

1. Measles
2. Scarlet fever
3. Tuberculosis
4. Polio

19. Edison was awarded how many patents worldwide?

1. 1,093
2. 1,154
3. 1,200
4. 1,275

20. What did Edison famously say about failure?

1. “I have not failed; I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”
2. “Failure is the key to success.”
3. “Never fail to try.”
4. “Failure teaches better than success.”

21. What type of battery did Edison invent?

1. Lithium-ion
2. Lead-acid
3. Nickel-iron
4. Alkaline

22. Edison was born in which year?

1. 1845
2. 1847
3. 1850
4. 1852

23. Which invention is Edison most famous for?

1. Telephone
2. Light bulb
3. Radio
4. Airplane

24. Edison’s first invention was related to what?

1. Electrical vote recorder
2. Light bulb
3. Power grid
4. Movie projector

25. Edison formed the Edison Illuminating Company in what year?

1. 1878
2. 1880
3. 1882
4. 1885

26. Which major invention of Edison changed the music industry?

1. Phonograph
2. Gramophone
3. Vinyl records
4. Audio tape

27. Where is Thomas Edison buried?

1. Glenmont, New Jersey
2. Menlo Park
3. New York City
4. Boston

28. Edison’s invention of the electric pen was a precursor to what device?

1. Printer
2. Typewriter
3. Mimeograph
4. Computer

29. What was the main material Edison used in the filament of his light bulb?

1. Tungsten
2. Carbonized bamboo
3. Platinum
4. Copper

30. Edison held how many patents for his work on telegraphs?

1. Over 100
2. Over 150
3. Over 300
4. Over 400