Rica família de uma cidadezinha do sul dos Estados Unidos vê sua supremacia social pouco a pouco comprometida pela industrialização. Seu jovem e mimado herdeiro se coloca entre a mãe viúva e o homem que ela sempre amou.
Inventor Thomas Edison's boyhood is chronicled and shows him as a lad whose early inventions and scientific experiments usually end up causing disastrous results. As a result, the towns folk all think Tom is crazy, and creating a strained relationship between Tom and his father. Tom's only solace is his understanding mother who believes he's headed to do great things.