• The role Thomas Edison inventor, entrepreneur, manufacturer,
husband and father, and cultural icon."
The strength the interpretation the laboratory complex lies the opportunity
to link the "perspiration" and "inspiration" inventing the development and
distribution Edison’s products the consumer market.The 1991 "Interpretive Prospectus" for the site refined these themes focusing
the current interpretation Edison’s definition new pattern for American
industry" which "connected the inventive process with the organization of
manufacturing [to] produce..
2
. following the process from idea
to final product, visitors should gain greater understanding Edison’s working
method."
The three primary themes presented the Interpretive Prospectus include:
• The role the West Orange laboratory the development science, business
and technology..
The examination two specific technologies will also encourage visitors to
consider the impact Edison’s inventions their own lives. Historically furnished
areas interpret the site the period 1910 1920 when the Edison laboratory
complex was its most active—creating, refining, manufacturing and promoting
new products. The work force the West Orange laboratory reached its peak
during this period, with over 200 experimenters, machinists and laborers
employed.
Interpretation each room will highlight the development two Edison’s
inventions, the phonograph and the storage battery, that visitors may easily
follow the research and development process.
Furnished areas include the chemistry laboratory, pattern shop, library, stock
room, heavy machine shop, precision machine shop, and drafting rooms.
A secondary theme "the history the laboratory since Edison’s death 1931,
including the role the National Park Service preserving and interpreting the
vast cultural resources the site. Visitors should
come away from the site with greater understanding not only Edison’s
individual inventions, but also the process inventing.final products for distribution national mass
market.
• The impact the work done West Orange the daily lives millions of
people worldwide
