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Edison National Historic SiteThomas Edison's Laboratory Complex as it was about 1900.
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Edison National Historic Site
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Edison disc phonograph storage room.
Disc phonograph record storage.

The Collections

The inventor who gave the world so many of its modern wonders also left behind a visual and documentary record. 

The historical collections at Edison National Historic Site illustrate the impact of Thomas Edison's work on the modern world.  The largest collection of Edison materials anywhere, many of these objects are the product of Thomas Alva Edisonss career as inventor, manufacturer, businessman, and private citizen.

 

 

Sounds: Find information on the sound recording archives. Listen to samples of early sound recordings.

Thomas Edison with his hand to his ear.
Thomas Edison ready to listen.
Listen to some Edison recordings.
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Cylinder phonograph record storage.
Cylinder phonograph record storage.
Requesting an audio recording.
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Audio Transfer Workstation
Audio transfer workstation.
Sound Recordings
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A set of storage batteries used as display models for the Edison Company.  

Did You Know?
Did you know that Thomas Edison worked on electric car batteries in the early 1900s? He thought it would be the car of the future. His wife's favorite car to drive was a Detroit Electric. Today, Edison NHS has three electric cars dating from 1908 to 1914.

Last Updated: September 29, 2007 at 16:48 EST