Edisonade

An Edisonade is a fictional narrative, often found in late 19th and early 20th-century literature, that features a brilliant young inventor or scientist, typically American, who uses their ingenuity and technological prowess to overcome challenges, solve problems, and achieve remarkable feats. These stories often emphasize the ingenuity, resourcefulness, and moral uprightness of the protagonist, portraying them as a symbol of American innovation and progress. The term is derived from the name of the famous American inventor Thomas Edison, whose image and popular perception as a self-made, ingenious inventor served as a direct inspiration for these narratives.

Edisonades are characterized by:

• A focus on technological invention and problem-solving: The plot usually revolves around the protagonist's creation of a novel invention that is used to resolve a central conflict.
• A celebration of American ingenuity: The stories often explicitly or implicitly promote American values of self-reliance, hard work, and inventiveness.
• A morally upstanding inventor-hero: The protagonist is typically portrayed as a virtuous individual, motivated by the desire to improve the world rather than personal gain.
• An optimistic outlook on technology: Edisonades generally reflect a belief in the power of technology to solve problems and improve human lives.

The genre is seen as a reflection of the widespread fascination with science and technology during the Industrial Revolution and the Progressive Era, as well as a cultural celebration of American innovation and entrepreneurial spirit. Although the popularity of the "Edisonade" as a distinct genre has waned, its influence can be seen in subsequent science fiction and adventure stories that feature resourceful inventors and optimistic visions of technological progress.