Thomas Edison called his kids 'Dot', 'Dash' after Morse code

American inventor Thomas Alva Edison, who was born on February 11, 1847, affectionately called his children 'Dot' and 'Dash', as a reference to Morse code. Edison, who was partially deaf since childhood, starting working as a telegraph operator aged 15 and excelled in his job as that time Morse code was inscribed on paper, so his inability was no handicap.