Edison Demonstrates Incandescent Electric Light

December 31st, 1879

In his first public demonstration of his incandescent light bulb, Thomas Alva Edison lit up a street in Menlo Park, New Jersey.

This catapulted America, and ultimately the world, into the modern age of the electric light.

The Pennsylvania Railroad Company ran special trains to Menlo Park on the day of the demonstration in response to public fascination over the event.

Ironically, many celebrate New Year’s Eve to this day with electric light, including the illuminated ball drop in Times Square.

Featured image courtesy of NJ.com.

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