Bloomfield Historical Society To Host Free Event: 'Edison and Innovation'

From the Historical Society of Bloomfield: On March 28, the Historical Society of Bloomfield will present Thomas Edison National Historical Park Archivist Leonard DeGraaf speaking about his book, Edison and the Rise of Innovation.

Thomas Edison (1847-1931) was more than history’s most prolific inventor. He combined scientific knowledge, well-equipped laboratories, talented collaborators, investment capital and a bit of showmanship to change the way we develop new technologies. Edison and the Rise of Innovation chronicles Edison’s life and work, making lively and lavish use of rarely-seen historic photographs, lab notebooks and advertising material. Published by Sterling Signature in 2013, it was produced in association with the Edison Innovation Foundation, the Charles Edison Fund and the National Park Service. Another famous innovator—Bill Gates—has written the foreword to this fresh look at Thomas Edison.

Edison and the Rise of Innovation introduces the inventor who did more than just invent the phonograph, incandescent electric light and motion picture camera, he translated ideas into commercial products, creating dozens of companies to manufacture and market his inventions. The book reminds us that Edison still matters because he faced the same questions modern innovators confront today: which ideas should I develop? How do I raise money to support research? How do I motivate my team? What’s the best way to manufacture and sell my products?

Before joining the National Park Service in 1991, DeGraaf was on the staff of the Thomas A. Edison Papers at Rutgers University. He is the author of Historic Photos of Thomas Edison (Turner Publishing, 2008), and his articles have appeared Business History Review and other publications. He received an MA in history from Rutgers University.

Event: Edison & the Rise of Innovation

Date: March 28, 2017

Time: 7:30 PM

Venue: Bloomfield Civic Center, 84 Broad Street, Bloomfield, NJ

Cost: Free & open to the public

Contact: www.hsob.org, 973-743-8844, info@hsob.org

The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

Images via Pixabay