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West Orange in Essex County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
 

Thomas Edison’s West Orange Laboratory

 
 
Thomas Edison’s West Orange Laboratory Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 6, 2009
1. Thomas Edison’s West Orange Laboratory Marker
Inscription.
The Invention Factory

In the fall of 1887, Thomas Edison moved into his new laboratory complex in the town of West Orange, N.J. For the next 44 years Edison directed teams of research assistants in his “Invention Factory” and created a model for modern research and development laboratories.

Today, New Jersey’s urban growth almost hides this historic site. Yet these brick buildings reveal the story of Thomas Edison, those who worked with him, and the inventions they produced.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1887.
 
Location. 40° 47.044′ N, 74° 14.026′ W. Marker is in West Orange, New Jersey, in Essex County. Marker can be reached from Main Street, on the right when traveling north. Marker is on the grounds of the Thomas Edison National Historical Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: West Orange NJ 07052, United States of America. Touch for directions.
 
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Truck of the Second Commercial Electric Railroad Locomotive. (a few steps from this marker); Thomas Edison Statue (a few steps from this marker); The Truck of the First Commercial Electric Railroad Locomotive. (a few steps from this marker); The Courtyard (a few steps from this marker);
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Black Maria Replica (a few steps from this marker); Making Movies (within shouting distance of this marker); The Black Maria (within shouting distance of this marker); The Main Gate (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in West Orange.
 
More about this marker. The right side of the marker contains a map of the Laboratory Complex, indicating the location of the marker. The left side displays photographs of various sites in the complex, including the Gatehouse, Chemistry Lab, Pattern Shop, Library, Stockroom, Machine Shop, Music Room, Building 4, Building 11 and the Black Maria.
 
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Take a tour of the markers found at the Laboratory Complex of Thomas Edison National Historical Park.
 
Also see . . .
1. Thomas Edison National Historical Park, New Jersey. Nation Park Service website. (Submitted on November 8, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.) 

2. Thomas Edison and the phonograph - 1877. Edison reciting "Mary had a little lamb",
Building 11 image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 6, 2009
2. Building 11
the first recording he made on his phonograph. (Submitted on July 1, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.) 
 
Building 2 – Chemistry Laboratory image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 6, 2009
3. Building 2 – Chemistry Laboratory
Thomas Edison and his chemists experimented on everything from phonograph records to rubber in this building.
Inside the Pattern Shop image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 6, 2009
4. Inside the Pattern Shop
In the Pattern Shop, Edison's carpenters shaped wood models, which were used to make the parts for working models, specialized machinery, and other devices.
Thomas Edison’s Library image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 6, 2009
5. Thomas Edison’s Library
The desk of Thomas Edison is seen here in his private library in building 6. His portrait hangs above the fireplace.
Stockroom image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 6, 2009
6. Stockroom
Edison did not want to wait for raw materials when working on his experiments, so he kept the stockroom filled with anything he might need.
Thomas Edison’s Heavy Machine Shop image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 6, 2009
7. Thomas Edison’s Heavy Machine Shop
The heavy machine shop was located on the first floor of building 6. On the second floor was the precision machine shop, where more intricate items such as ladies' watches were constructed.
Music Room image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 6, 2009
8. Music Room
Thomas Edison spent much of his time in the Music Room in Building 6.
The Black Maria image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 6, 2009
9. The Black Maria
The Black Maria was the world’s first motion picture studio. Thomas Edison would make short films in this building by opening the roof to let sunlight illuminate the stage while filming.
Thomas Edison’s West Orange Laboratory image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Scott Sather, October 25, 2009
10. Thomas Edison’s West Orange Laboratory
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on July 28, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 8, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 2,563 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on November 8, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.   10. submitted on July 26, 2016, by Scott Sather of Salem, Oregon.

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Mar. 19, 2024