Fort Myers in Lee County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Meet Two of the Most Influential Men of the 20th Century

— Edison and Ford Winter Estates —

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, July 30, 2025

1. Meet Two of the Most Influential Men of the 20th Century Marker

Inscription.

Meet Two of the Most Influential Men of the 20th Century. . , Thomas Alva Edison , February 11, 1847 - October 18, 1931 , , Thomas Edison revolutionized everything from electricity to entertainment; even the process of invention itself. Edison gathered experts from various fields to work together in his Menlo Park, New Jersey laboratory. Today it's considered the first modern research and development lab in history. , , His tireless work earned him the nickname "Wizard of Menlo Park." Edison's presence can still be felt in the way we work, communicate, learn, and play. , In his lifetime, Edison was granted an incredible 1,093 U.S. patents. , , Henry Ford , July 30, 1863 - April 7, 1947 , , Henry Ford founded the Ford Motor Company in 1903 and introduced his iconic Model T five years later. The Model T became one of the best-selling vehicles in automobile history. By eliminating non-essential components and developing the moving automotive assembly line, the Model T became more affordable. Ford improved the lives of many of his factory workers with a $5 workday and 8-hour shifts. His success made him one of the wealthiest people in the world. Henry Ford received 161 United States patents, many related to the internal combustion engine, transmission, and even aviation. , , Henry Ford and his automobiles profoundly impacted modern society. His automobiles transformed the American landscape, the way people traveled, and industrial mass-production. , , [Insert:] , Good friends Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, and Harvey Firestone sit on the steps of the Edison Botanic Research Laboratory, circa 1930. It was here that Edison and his two famous companions searched for a source of natural rubber that could be easily cultivated in the U.S. , (caption) , Left: Thomas and Mina Edison stroll through the grounds of their Fort Myers estate, circa 1930. , Below: Henry Ford and Thomas Edison pose outside of the original Fort Myers Laboratory in 1928. , Fast Facts: , Thomas Edison once proclaimed, "there is only one Fort Myers and 90,000,000 Americans are going to find it out." Today hundreds of thousands of visitors come to the Edison and Ford Winter Estates every year.

Thomas Alva Edison
February 11, 1847 - October 18, 1931

Thomas Edison revolutionized everything from electricity to entertainment; even the process of invention itself. Edison gathered experts from various fields to work together in his Menlo Park, New Jersey laboratory. Today it's considered the first modern research and development lab in history.

His tireless work earned him the nickname "Wizard of Menlo Park." Edison's presence can still be felt in the way we work, communicate, learn, and play.
In his lifetime, Edison was granted an incredible 1,093 U.S. patents.

Henry Ford
July 30, 1863 - April 7, 1947

Henry Ford founded the Ford Motor Company in 1903 and introduced his iconic Model T five years later. The Model T became one of the best-selling vehicles in automobile history. By eliminating non-essential components and developing the moving automotive assembly line, the Model T became more affordable. Ford improved the lives of many of his factory workers with a $5 workday and 8-hour shifts. His success made him one of the wealthiest people in the world. Henry Ford received 161 United States patents, many related to the internal combustion engine, transmission, and even aviation.

Henry Ford and his automobiles profoundly
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impacted modern society. His automobiles transformed the American landscape, the way people traveled, and industrial mass-production.

[Insert:]
Good friends Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, and Harvey Firestone sit on the steps of the Edison Botanic Research Laboratory, circa 1930. It was here that Edison and his two famous companions searched for a source of natural rubber that could be easily cultivated in the U.S.
(caption)
Left: Thomas and Mina Edison stroll through the grounds of their Fort Myers estate, circa 1930.
Below: Henry Ford and Thomas Edison pose outside of the original Fort Myers Laboratory in 1928.
Fast Facts:
Thomas Edison once proclaimed, "there is only one Fort Myers and 90,000,000 Americans are going to find it out." Today hundreds of thousands of visitors come to the Edison & Ford Winter Estates every year.

Erected by Edison and Ford Winter Estates. (Marker Number #23.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Notable Places • Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1930.

Location. 26° 38.05′ N, 81° 52.775′ W. Marker is in Fort Myers, Florida, in Lee County. It is on McGregor Boulevard

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, July 30, 2025

2. Meet Two of the Most Influential Men of the 20th Century Marker

0.1 miles north of Llewellyn Drive, on the right when traveling north. Located on the grounds of the Edison and Ford Winter Estates on the laboratory side of the complex. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2351 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers FL 33901, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Florida’s Gulf Coast.

It is also in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Edison’s Bayon Tree (here, next to this marker); Mina Miller Edison (a few steps from this marker); Thomas Edison, Chemist (a few steps from this marker); Edison Botanic Research Laboratory (within shouting distance of this marker); Artesian Well (within shouting distance of this marker); Experimental Plots (within shouting distance of this marker); Edison Heritage Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); The Lay of the Land (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Myers.

Other markers no longer nearby. Mina Miller Edison (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Banyan Tree (Ficus benghalensis) (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Thomas Alva Edison (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed).

Also see . . .
1. Thomas Edison. (Submitted on August 8, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. Henry Ford. (Submitted on August 8, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Thoma Edison Statue image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, July 30, 2025

3. Thoma Edison Statue

Cold-cast aluminum statue by D. J. Wilkins.

3. Edison and Ford Winter Estates. (Submitted on August 8, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Henry Ford Statue image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, August 1, 2025

4. Henry Ford Statue

Cold-cast aluminum statue by D. J. Wilkins.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 9, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 8, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 138 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 8, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.