Thomas Edison was a very curious child and was always asking questions. He was a poor student however as his mind often wandered. He built his first lab at the age of only 10 and used all his spare money to buy chemicals for experiments. Around age 12, Edison lost almost all his hearing, but he saw it as an advantage as it helped him concentrate on his experiments better. In 1869, when Edison was only 22, he got his first patent for a vote-recording machine. Unfortunately it was never used, so from that point on Edison only invented something if there was a need for it. Edison had various jobs during his early life such as a telegraph operator and a printing machine mechanic, then he set up an ‘invention factory’ in New Jersey. He said, 7 never quit until I get what I’m after. Negative results are just what I’m after. They are just as valuable to me as positive results.” Edison worked long hours and expected a lot from his employees.