Edison "New Year's Eve" Lamp

Object Details

Edison, Thomas Alva

Description: Thomas Edison used this carbon-filament bulb in the first public demonstration of his most famous invention, the first practical electric incandescent lamp, which took place at his Menlo Park, New Jersey, laboratory on New Year's Eve, 1879.; As the quintessential American inventor-hero, Edison personified the ideal of the hardworking self-made man. He received a record 1,093 patents and became a skilled entrepreneur. Though occasionally unsuccessful, Edison and his team developed many practical devices in his "invention factory," and fostered faith in technological progress.

Physical Description: carbon (overall material); glass (overall material); platinum (overall material); copper (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 6 1/2 in x 2 3/4 in; 16.51 cm x 6.985 cm

Place Made: United States: New Jersey, Edison, Menlo Park
used: United States: New Jersey, Edison, Menlo Park; United States: New Jersey

Related Publication: Kendrick, Kathleen M. and Peter C. Liebhold. Smithsonian Treasures of American History; Sewer, Andy; Allison, David; Liebhold, Peter; Davis, Nancy; Franz, Kathleen G.. American Enterprise: A History of Business in America; National Museum of American History. Treasures of American History online exhibition
Related Web Publication: https://americanhistory.si.edu/explore/exhibitions/treasures-american-history

See more items in: Work and Industry: Electricity; Energy & Power; Engineering, Building, and Architecture; Work; Industry & Manufacturing; American Enterprise; National Treasures exhibit; Domestic Furnishings; Artifact Walls exhibit
Exhibition: American Enterprise
Exhibition Location: National Museum of American History

National Museum of American History

GUID (Link to Original Record): https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a5-3705-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa