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Buy the "Great Projects" videos and companion book at ShopPBS. |
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Breakthrough Edison divined that electric lighting might be the next big thing and the best vehicle to demonstrate his idea. First, he needed to create an electric burner that would not quickly burn up or melt at high temperature. After frenzied experiments with dozens of substances shaped into various forms—wires, foils, sticks, buttons—Edison tried a filament made of tough cardboard. The lamp stayed lit for more than a week! Exulted, on November 4, 1879, Edison applied for a patent on a carbon-filament lamp. |
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  How engineers contained and controlled the Colorado and Mississippi rivers. Thomas Edison lights up New York City; Sam Insull brings power to Chicago; and TVA electrifies rural America Constructing the George Washington Bridge Putting a major highway under Boston  |
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