Thomas Edison Laboratory (West Orange)
Historic (National Park Service), West Orange, New Jersey
Thomas Edison's laboratory in West Orange, New Jersey was built in 1887 and served as his research and production base for more than 40 years. Its labs and machine shops developed improved phonographs, sound recordings, motion pictures and the nickel-iron storage battery. The complex and Edison's nearby home, Glenmont, are now Thomas Edison National Historical Park.
- Company
- Historic (National Park Service)
- Status
- Closed
- Opened
- 1887
- Employees
- Not stated
- Industry
- Electronics
- Revised
- November 12, 2026
What is made here
Thomas Edison's laboratory and machine shops, used for research, prototypes and products including phonographs, motion pictures and storage batteries.
Facts
| Complex | Brick laboratory buildings and machine shops on Main Street in West Orange, used for research and development, prototypes and products (federal: nps.gov) |
|---|---|
| Black Maria | The Black Maria was the first building built for recording motion pictures; the park shows a replica built in 1954 (federal: nps.gov) |
| Laboratory | Built in 1887 to designs by Henry Hudson Holly and operated for more than 40 years (reference: en.wikipedia.org) |
| Output | Work there produced the motion picture camera, improved phonographs, sound recordings, silent and sound movies and the nickel-iron alkaline storage battery (reference: en.wikipedia.org) |
Figures are as stated by the source named next to each one. Company figures are the company's own claims.
Can you visit?
Thomas Edison National Historical Park; Glenmont tours require a ticket (nps.gov) Check the operator's site before you go.
Sources
- NPS: Thomas Edison National Historical Park (federal, checked November 12, 2026)
- Wikipedia: Thomas Edison NHP (reference, checked November 12, 2026)
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