I had always considered that since Thomas Edison was born in New Jersey, he must have had some residence in the state. Upon my arrival in New Jersey, I undertook online research about the birthplace of Thomas Alva Edison and found that he was indeed born in New Jersey in 1847. Subsequently, he set up a laboratory in Menlo Park, Edison, New Jersey. Therefore, it was the perfect opportunity to realize my long-held aspiration to visit his ‘karmbhoomi,’ similar to my previous visits to Einstein’s residence and Princeton University, where he taught, lived, and developed his philosophy and theories of physics. I am grateful to my son for making this experience a reality.
Between 1876 and 1882 at Menlo Park, New Jersey, Thomas Edison developed the world’s first industrial research and development laboratory devoted to developing new technology. At this laboratory Edison and his staff developed the first system of incandescent electric lighting and electric power generation, invented recorded sound, and invented a commercially successful telephone transmitter.
Our trip to this location was one of the most memorable experiences, as I was astonished to witness the laboratory and the ‘karmbhoomi’ of a remarkable inventor we have studied in our textbooks since childhood. The site is truly magnificent and remarkably beautiful, and to our surprise, we found that many Indians reside in this area. We gained access to the laboratory for a fee of $7, accompanied by a guide. The female guide provided insights into Edison’s life, his inventions, and various prototypes. A tower has been erected in Edison’s honor, with its base located at the site of his laboratory.
This tower is located at the very site where Thomas Alva Edison invented the electric bulb in 1879. Subsequently, a steel tower was constructed as a temporary memorial to Edison. Remarkably, a thunderbolt struck this steel structure, yet it did not extinguish the electric light at its base, which has been continuously illuminated since 1929 as an “eternal light” in tribute to its creator. The current tower, which we observe today, was built to commemorate Edison’s 91st birthday and rises to a height of 131 feet at the location in Menlo Park, New Jersey, where Edison’s workshop once operated. Its concrete walls are illuminated at night by powerful floodlights and taper towards the “world’s largest bulb.”
A replica of the inaugural tin foil phonograph was created at Menlo Park in 1877. This phonograph exemplifies Edison’s early mechanical innovations at Menlo Park. While the general public was captivated by the phonograph’s capacity to record sound, the scientific community was particularly impressed by the machine’s technical straightforwardness. A sketch of the tin foil phonograph dated November 29, 1877, is also available. The guide showed us the demo of recording and reproduction of sound on this machine.
Edison’s laboratory is in Menlo Park in the county of Middlesex in the State of New Jersey.
Edison got inspiration to perfect the electric railway when he stood in a field in Wyoming in 1878. He thought that transporting the food grains by steam engine would be expensive. Instead, a light electric engine could be employed for that. In 1834, a blacksmith named Thomas Davenport built a
small electric railway, and he is credited with the first patent of electric railways. But the Davenport engine was based on batteries, which made it impractical and costly. Edison chose to provide electric power to the engine by stationary generators and send power through the railway track. In 1880 he built a one-third of a mile track that ran in front of this laboratory. But it was not possible to take it in
reverse direction. He and his team relentlessly worked on improving the electric railway, as justified by his patent as below
It is beyond the scope of this discussion to detail the extensive list of inventions by Thomas Alva Edison; however, it is worth noting that this site represents a significant discovery, as very few individuals are aware of the location where Edison developed his inventions.
Witnessing the lathe machine, which Thomas Edison and his contemporaries utilized to transform their inventions and concepts into tangible realities, was an exhilarating experience. This machine stands as a testament to their ingenuity. Is it not remarkable to behold?
A natural lake is located adjacent to the park, accompanied by an impressive two-mile train journey into the jungle. This experience revitalized us and enhanced the overall memorability of our trip.
We noted that the nearby neighborhoods are predominantly affluent, featuring villas primarily inhabited by Indian residents, with the entire residential area largely occupied by individuals of Indian descent.
Ultimately, I would like to include an image of a location where I saw every visitor captured in a photograph.
Epilogue
Numerous destinations exist across the globe, yet only a select few have profoundly transformed human existence, illuminating the path from darkness to enlightenment and from ignorance to understanding. These significant sites are often overlooked, underestimated, or neglected in our travels. It is essential for humanity to visit these locations to honor the pioneers and champions of their respective fields.
In our pursuit of comfort, we frequently overlook the individuals who have dedicated their lives to enhancing our quality of life. One such place is dedicated to the remarkable Thomas Edison, who emerged from humble beginnings to become a symbol of perseverance and hard work. His unwavering commitment to the betterment of humanity deserves our utmost respect and recognition.
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