Edison, New Jersey, United States--The Thomas Edison Memorial Tower and Menlo Park Museum in the Menlo Park section of what is now the town of Edison, mark the site of Edison's greatest triumphs, particularly the invention of recorded sound and the light bulb; the 118-foot-tall tower is topped with a 14 feet tall light bulb which weighs eight tons, and is illuminated at night, setting the world record for being the World’s Largest Light Bulb Sculpture, according to the WORLD RECORD ACADEMY.
"The Thomas Edison Memorial Tower and Menlo Park Museum were built in 1938, in the Menlo Park section of what is now the town of Edison. They mark the site of Edison's greatest triumphs, particularly the invention of recorded sound and the light bulb, which he unveiled to the public on December 31, 1879," the Roadside America reports.
"The spot is marked by a 118-foot-tall tower topped with the World's 2nd Largest Light Bulb, which itself is 14 feet tall, weighs eight tons, and is illuminated at night.
"The museum closed in 2010, was given a makeover, then reopened in June 2012. At that time the light bulb was switched off and the tower surrounded by scaffolding for a complete renovation. The tower reopened October 24, 2015, and the big bulb was switched back on -- now lit by LEDs, not Edison's incandescent light bulbs."
"The world’s largest light bulb, made of Corning Pyrex glass, is 13 feet and 8 inches tall and weighs eight tons. Every night, everyone near the 12-story tower the light bulb rests on can witness its luminescence shining over the residential area below; an unmissable reminder of the modern-day significance of Edison’s invention," the Atlas Obscura reports.
"The giant light bulb of Menlo Park was constructed in 1938, just seven years after the inventor’s death, and is encased by 153 individual pieces of amber tinted pyrex glass. Inside the base of the tower, sits an eternal light that is kept on 24/7 in honor of the great inventor.
"Near the tower is a small museum that is open to visitors for tours periodically throughout the day. Aside from the opportunity to visit the base of the tower, visitors who take a tour will also learn about the life of Thomas Edison, Edison’s lightbulbs, and hear music played from original phonographs, another Edison invention."
"The Center and the Park are jointly administered by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Parks & Forestry; the Township of Edison; and the non-profit Edison Memorial Tower Corporation, dba / Thomas Edison Center at Menlo Park," the official website says.
"More than any other inventor in history, Thomas Edison is responsible for the technologies that make modern life modern. By the time of his death in 1931, he held 1,093 patents covering the creation or refinements of devices in telegraphy and telephony, electric power generation and lighting, sound recording, motion pictures, storage batteries, and mining and cement technology.
"However, his most important invention was one that couldn’t be patented: the process of modern invention itself. By applying the principles of mass production to the 19th-century model of the solitary inventor, Edison created a process in which skilled scientists, machinists, designers, and others collaborated at a single facility to research, develop, and manufacture new technologies."
"If you're ever taking a scenic drive across New Jersey (it is called the Garden State after all) look for the 134-foot tower in Edison, New Jersey housing the world's largest light bulb," the Time magazine reports.
"The Thomas Alva Edison Memorial Tower stands on the site of Edison's Menlo Park laboratory where he perfected the first commercially practical incandescent light bulb. The 13-foot tall bulb at the top of the tower is meant to represent Edison's most famous invention, and a museum tells the story of Edison's work."
"Known as the Edison Memorial Tower, it marks the location of Thomas Edison's Menlo Park laboratory - the world's first organized research and development site. The tower is approximately 131 feet tall and is topped with a 14-foot working light bulb. The tower is made with Edison Portland cement. The bulb is made of over 6,000 pounds of Corning Pyrex glass," the Only In Your State reports.
"This park preserves Thomas Edison's home (known as Glenmont) and his West Orange laboratory. The motion picture camera and and the nickel-iron alkaline electric storage battery are two important inventions that were developed at the site. It's also worth a visit!
"The Edison Memorial Tower is open Thursday-Saturday for tours. Lit from dusk to dawn, the interior offers original artifacts and 100+-year-old Edison Phonographs that you can still listen to. While visiting, enjoy a guided walk along a scenic nature trail through the surrounding 36-acre state park."
Testimonials from TripAdvisor
"In memory of Thomas Alva Edison, electric light bulb was invented at this site. It is a 5- Star place with rich history of inventing industrial revolution in USA."
"The museum, its staff and volunteers do an incedible job of highlighting Thomas Alva Edison's many accomplishments. At the end of my tour, I walked away with the same sense of wonder that I felt as a child."
"As we drove up, I first noticed the giant art-deco tower with one of Edison's light bulbs at the top of it. This is the site of Thomas Edison's laboratory in Menlo Park where many of his inventions were developed. After an hour or so in the museum, we walked over to the Edison Memorial Tower where we were taken inside to see the eternal lightbulb burning since 1938. If you have an interest in the history of technology this is one gem of a museum! They also have a nice museum shop where you can purchase books on Edison, Edison-era style light bulbs, and even some original Edison records you can play on your turntable at home. I highly recommend a visit here. Definitely a five-star experience!"
"The Edison Tower has been a favorite attraction for 75 years. I've taken many of my out-of-state friends here. Check it out!"
"The Thomas Edison Museum and the Edison Tower which is adjacent was a pleasantly unexpected excellent attraction. The small museum was jammed with interesting inventions and the docent was incredible. You really appreciated the genius of Thomas Edison after the visit."
World’s Largest Light Bulb Sculpture: Edison, New Jersey
Address: 37 Christie St., Edison, NJ
GPS: 40.5632, -74.3390
Directions:Edison Museum and Memorial Tower. Garden State Pkwy Exit 130 toward Edison-Metuchin. Drive west on Hwy 27, watch for right at big rock onto Christie St. Up a few blocks on the left.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MenloParkNJ
Hours:Lit at night. (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
Phone: 732-549-3299
Admission:Donation
website: https://www.menloparkmuseum.org/
