Geared as an invitation for undergraduates, beginning graduate students, we present a pedagogical introduction to one-dimensional topological phases, particularly the Su--Schrie-ffer--Heeger model. In the process, we delve upon ideas of entanglement using the correlator method and the von-Neumann density-matrix method, geometric phase, polarization, transport signatures and the role of electron-electron interactions. Through hands-on numerical experiments, whose codes are shared (https://github.com/hnoend/SSH_codes), we try to drive home the message of why a program of simulating quantum electronics with topological toy models is the storehouse for discovering fantastic physics ideas.