Geared as an invitation for undergraduates, beginning graduatestudents, we present a pedagogical introduction to one- dimensionaltopological phases—in particular, the Su–Schrieffer–Heegermodel. In the process, we delve upon ideas of entanglementusing the correlator method and the von-Neumann density matrix method,geometric phase, polarization, transport signaturesand the role of electron-electron interactions. Through hands onnumerical experiments, whose codes are shared, we try todrive home the message why a program of simulating quantumelectronics with topological toy models is the storehouse fordiscovering fantastic physics ideas.