You grow up being told that this is guy, Edison, is the most awesome inventor in the history of America.
Well, consider this. Let's suppose Tesla was actually the most awesome inventor, and Edison was second. Which do you want to show children? The one who was a genius, or the one who made no bones about the fact that hard work was the main ingredient to his success?
In other words, do we teach children that being smart is important, or do we teach them that hard work is important?