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Edison Memorial Tower.

World's 2nd Largest Light Bulb

Field review by the editors.

Edison, New Jersey

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 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 (A 17-foot-high light bulb was unveiled in Tulsa in 2021, but it is more goofy than majestic). The actual workshop where these inventions were made was stolen by Henry Ford and moved to Michigan along with Edison's Last Breath, in a bottle.

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.

Also see: Light Bulb Methuselahs

World's 2nd Largest Light Bulb

Edison Museum and Memorial Tower

Address:
37 Christie St., Edison, NJ
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.
Hours:
Lit at night. (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
Phone:
732-549-3299
Admission:
Donation
RA Rates:
Worth a Detour
Save to My Sights

Nearby Offbeat Places

Light Dispelling Darkness - WPA ArtLight Dispelling Darkness - WPA Art, Edison, NJ - 2 mi.
Three Stooges TombstoneThree Stooges Tombstone, Metuchen, NJ - 2 mi.
Stainless Steel LocomotiveStainless Steel Locomotive, Woodbridge, NJ - 3 mi.
In the region:
Human Bones, Stuffed Dog, Buddy Holly Love Spot, New York, NY - 24 mi.

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