The year is now 1859. Four years have passed and Tom's studies with his mother have continued to serve him well. Port Huron has grown and the House in the Grove has truly become a home. Mr. Edison decides to build a 100-foot tower on their property and charge people 25 cents to see the view. The attractions becomes quite poplar and people come from all over. When no one is around, Mrs. Edison and Tom enjoy sitting on the tower and doing their lessons. Standing on top and looking out, Tom pretends he is Christopher Columbus and the St. Claire River is the great Atlantic. Other things are changing around the Edison's besides the tower. Fort Gratiot, located across the road from the Edison's home, has been interactive since the French and Indian war. But with increased worry that the nation might be facing civil war, soldiers have taken over the fort. So, people come to see the restored fort and see the tower.
Tom, is now twelve, makes a new friend, James Clancy. He and James become very interested in a new form of communication they have heard about called a telegraph. Inspired by the thought of wired, coded discussions, Tom decides to rig up a telegraph between the boys houses. By collecting bottles, wire and nails they build a simple telegraph. Mow the boys can talk to each other from their own homes. Learning the Morse Code is fun and soon Tom and James are tapping away. Even Mr. Edison is interested in the new system of communication and learns the code, too. Tom is having a lot of fun!
What we will cover in this chapter:
History and Geography: Samuel Morse and the Telegraph
History and Geography-Marconi and wireless communication
History and Geography: Samuel Morse and the Telegraph
I introduced the kids to a brief background on Samuel Morse and the history of communication. We watched two u-tube videos and read a book about Morse Code. Lily and Aj also practiced sending messages to each other by banging on the wall.
History and Geography-Marconi and Wireless Communication
We also spent some time discussing the next step in the world of communication-radio. Guglielmo Marconi set out to improve the system by creating a way to communicate without wires. To learn more about Marconi and his accomplishments we went to the Marconi Museum and found were the first wireless transmission was sent.
Extra Learning Fun- In our travels we received an antique wireless communication children's kit. Lily and Aj enjoyed playing with this and they both found it fascinating.
Thanks for Reading!
