Brazil legend PelÃ© was named after American inventor Thomas Edison
Brazilian football legend PelÃ©, whose full name is Edson Arantes do Nascimento, was named after American inventor Thomas Alva Edison as electricity had just been introduced to his hometown when he was born. PelÃ©, who turns 78 today, had stated that he was proud to be named after Edison and initially hated the nickname PelÃ© as it sounded "horrible".