9. Reading. Young inventors

 

Have you ever thought about how some of your favourite things were invented? Things like trampolines, popsicles, and Christmas lights all have interesting stories behind them. And guess what? These inventions were created by young people, just like you!

 

Thomas Edison, the inventor of the light bulb, also came up with the idea of Christmas lights in \(1880\). However, those early lights weren't very popular because they were expensive and difficult to use. In \(1917\), a teenager named Albert Sadacca created a special connector that made it easy to join Christmas lights together. So, his version of the lights wasn’t very expensive, and soon his family’s company started producing and selling the lights. They had a big success and popularised the use of electric Christmas lights.

 

In \(1930\), a \(16\)-year-old boy named George Nissen saw trapeze artists jumping into a safety net at a circus. This gave him the idea of creating a net that would bounce the artists back. George and his friend, Larry Griswold, built the first trampoline. They later started a company making trampolines for people to buy. At first, trampolines were used to train astronauts and athletes. George's dream was for trampoline gymnastics to become an Olympic sport, which came true one day. Now, trampolines are not only used in the Olympics but also provide lots of fun for people all over the world.

 

In \(1905\), an \(11\)-year-old boy named Frank Epperson accidentally invented the first popsicle. He left a mixture made of soda powder and water outside on a cold night with a stirring stick in the cup. The next day, the mixture had frozen, and the first popsicle was born! In \(1923\), Frank started selling popsicles at an amusement park in California. Today, popsicles are a favourite frozen treat enjoyed by people around the world.

 

As you see, young people can  influence the world we live in and create things that people enjoy. Dream big and may be one day you will be famous for something you've created!