Diary Entry 

October 12th, 1879  

 

I have finally made a breakthrough for my lightbulb! I can't believe the answer was so near, staring at me for the past year and that I have fiddled with other useless filaments. I have found a somewhat better filament than the last mess. I believe it is superior. With pride, I tell you that my new filament is platinum. It is working well and will take this newly revived project forward.

 

But I still have my doubts. Those niggling doubts. Will they ever go away? Am I being too harsh on myself? I think so but I still have far to travel with this breakthrough. 

 

As I write in my notebook, I feel that this platinum filament might be too expensive and extravagant for the common family or person to purchase. I realize that there is always another path for an invention to travel along. In any event, whether this fails or succeeds my scientific journey has been worth it. I have accumulated a lot of knowledge in this area and I am excited to discover more, here and beyond and to satisfy my ongoing thirst for knowledge.  

 

Throughout my career, I have been forced to believe that no matter how hard you try, you will never be perfect. I have been saying and feeling this for a very long time and even though I know it is true I cannot hide the fact that I am always wishing to be the best in my chosen field. I want to be remembered for something in my life, to make a mark in history and in time. If this is all for nothing then I feel that I have failed everyone  

 

How long has it been since I set forth on this amazing quest, to complete this legendary feat? Six months, a year? Time has just completely escaped me. I have been spending less time interacting with friends and more time playing with metal and wire. I feel that my life outside the lab has been deteriorating greatly. When I return from this treacherous path I fear that my only family and friends will despise me, will they think that I was the man who cast them away, who sacrificed everything just to play with electricity and glass. 

 

I realize now that I could not have done this without my mother. She made me who I am today. My mother thought and believed I could do anything and that all I needed to do was try and never give up. She was the making of me, she understood me, she let me follow my bent. My friends have helped and aided me too throughout this long, laborious and rewarding journey.  

 

I hope I can repay them some way, some day in the future.   

 

Thomas Edison.