THE ARCHITECTURE WHICH DEFINES OUR LANDSCAPE IS A TANGIBLE PART OF OUR COLLECTIVE HISTORY. WHEN HISTORIC STRUCTURES ARE DEMOLISHED, A PART OF OURSELVES IS RELEGATED TO MEMORY AND CONDEMNED TO BE FORGOTTEN. IN THE REDISCOVERY OF OUR ABANDONED, OFF-LIMITS, OR OTHERWISE HIDDEN ENVIRONMENTS, I DOCUMENT THEIR EXISTENCE AS WELL AS OUR OWN THROUGH THE PHOTOGRAPHY AND THE ADVENTURES PRESENTED HERE
The Thomas Edison Laboratory in West Orange, New Jersey was built in 1887 and from thence it spawned the motion picture camera (and, subsequently, the movies which they produced), sound recordings and the nickel-iron alkaline battery among other things. Arguably the most important invention which took place here was the first ever cat video featuring a cat boxing match which was captured in 1894. A truly remarkable achievement. The site today is preserved as a National Park and it is an incredible time-capsule of turn-of-the-century industrial engineering. It was basically preserved in place exactly as it was left when Thomas Edison died in 1931.
I had hoped to make the pilgrimage to the laboratory of Edison's "rival" Nikola Tesla on this same trip but it seemed that the best I'd be able to hope for was to see Wardenclyffe from the road. Knowing that a fire had occurred and that there was nothing really to see inside, I had to make the decision to carry on with other endeavors which were more logistically compatible with this trip.
Begin Historic Photos
Thomas Edison Laboratory Orange New Jersey Historic Photo via Public Domain
Thomas Edison Laboratory Orange New Jersey Historic Photo via Public Domain
Thomas Edison Laboratory Orange New Jersey Historic Photo via Public Domain
Thomas Edison Laboratory Orange New Jersey Historic Photo via Public Domain
Thomas Edison Laboratory Orange New Jersey Historic Photo via Public Domain
Thomas Edison Laboratory Orange New Jersey Historic Photo via Public Domain
Thomas Edison Laboratory Orange New Jersey Historic Photo via Public Domain
Thomas Edison Laboratory Orange New Jersey Historic Photo via Public Domain
Thomas Edison Laboratory Orange New Jersey Historic Photo via Public Domain
Thomas Edison Laboratory Orange New Jersey Historic Photo via Public Domain
Thomas Edison Laboratory Orange New Jersey Historic Photo via Public Domain
Thomas Edison Laboratory Orange New Jersey Historic Photo via Public Domain
Thomas Edison Laboratory Orange New Jersey Historic Photo via Public Domain
Thomas Edison Laboratory Orange New Jersey Historic Photo via Public Domain
Thomas Edison Laboratory Orange New Jersey Historic Photo via Public Domain
This blog is dedicated to the pursuit of adventure and exploration in Saint Louis, Missouri and beyond. Here you will find photographs of, and history pertaining to, some of the most interesting, unique, old and/or abandoned locations across the United States.
1. With the exception of any historical photos, all of the photographs here are copyrighted and not to be used for any purpose without my consent. Credit for historical photos will be cited whenever possible.
2. "Don't try this at home." I absolutely will not be held responsible for anyone else's stupidity. I do not recommend anyone try visiting any of these locations. Sometimes I am granted access to the things you see here and attempting to follow in my footsteps may get you arrested, hurt or killed.
3. "Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints." I do not condone or tolerate: vandalism, theft, littering or any other disrespectful activity in any of these locations. Vandalizing and/or stealing from vulnerable locations is weak and lame as hell.
4. Do not ask me for (or comment) specific location information. If identifying information is not provided in the post, it was left out intentionally to protect the identity of the location. Any information will be provided either at the time of posting, or updated years later, at my discretion.
5. Any reference to "I/me, we/us" anywhere on this blog is probably just a metaphor. Metaphors are often employed to simplify complex technical details when storytelling. As such, they can never be considered as admission, nor proof, of guilt; They do not provide sufficient evidence as to who (or what) actually took any of the photos shown here. I/we may or may not actually exist.
6. No ads. No sponsors. No gods. No masters. This site is completely non-commercial and only intended for education/entertainment purposes. I have undergone significant personal risk, effort and cost to produce all content displayed here. All research is engaged in and typed out by myself. I do this because I enjoy it. I am not available for hire.
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