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2. He Was Trained to Be a Telegraph Operator

In his teen years, Edison worked for the railroad in Port Huron, Michigan. One day, he saved the life of a three-year-old boy who was nearly killed by a runaway train. To reward Edison for rescuing his son, the boy's father taught him how to operate a telegraph. By the time he'd turned 15, Edison knew enough about telegraphs to find employment as an operator. This gave him the chance to travel throughout the Midwest as a substitute telegraph operator for those entering military service during the Civil War.

Thomas Edison telegraph menonsstocks / Getty Images

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