What if Sir Thomas Alva Edison was Indian.
Thomas Alva Edison the world renowned inventor, was born in Calcutta on February 11, 1847, titled as Lakhidhar Gogoi. Born and brought up in poverty, Lakhidhar showed keen interest in science since his early days. With his parent barely earning enough to afford their daily meals, He learned science in native language stealing books and often notebooks from school students, peeking into schools as they held their classes. Fascinated with the worldly relationship of science and the universe; he wished to join school for extensive education. His father earning the bare minimum as a sweeper couldn’t fulfill his dream.
1857, the year which Calcuttta University was established. Lakhidhar, took the opportunity and joined as a sweeper, following his father’s profession; wishing to gain more knowledge on Chemistry and Physics of the universe. Lakhi after completing with his work, he would sneak into the afternoon physics classes dedicating every second to Sir Andrew’s lecture, he even attends the exam only to take the answer sheet back home and rectify his mistakes under the light of the lamp. Lakhi spend hours before sleep penning down possible methods to develop a light source with the help of electricity. It was not long until the day when he decided to ask suggestions to Sir Andrew. Andrew was astonished to have read his research, finding it hard to believe looking at Lakhi, a filthy- low class- uneducated Indian. He decided to help Lakhi with the idea of invention of the first ever electric bulb.
It was 1871, when Lakhi asked Sir Andrew about his idea. Sir Andrew, decided to dedicate his education for the help of Lakhi’s invention and the betterment of the world. He facilitated a laboratory, a few trusted students under Lakhidhar Gogoi, as they underwent with infinite experiments to find the suitable material for a filament, the thing which would glow up on passing electric energy due to sufficient resistance and perfect product property. Alas! years passed by yet it was not to be found. Until one fine evening, whilst Lakhi was pondering in the laboratory absent-mindedly rolling a piece of compressed carbon between his fingers. He began carbonizing materials to be used for the filament. It worked. Lakhi decided to try a carbonized cotton thread filament. When voltage was applied to the completed bulb, it began to radiate a soft orange glow. Further experimentation with his team and Sir Andrew, produced filaments that could burn longer and longer with each test.
Sir Andrew felt Lakhidhar Gogoi, an Indian origin, low class peasant might not be given the importance of the discovery; so he asked Lakhidhar to change his name before his invention being applied for approval. Lakhidahar Gogoi was thus changed to Thomas Alva Edison and Patent number 223,898 was given to Edison’s electric lamp.
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