Edison factory fire photographs, 1914 December 11-1915 January 8

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Summary

Title:
Edison factory fire photographs
Dates:
1914 December 11-1915 January 8
Creators:
Martland, Peter
Abstract:
This collection contains eight photographs of the factory fire at the Edison complex in Orange, New Jersey on Dec 9, 1914.
Containers:
box: PA SC 6
folder: 1
Extent:
0.02 Linear Feet (1 folder)
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

[Identification of Item], Edison factory fire photographs, PA SC 35. Department of Special Research Collections, UC Santa Barbara Library, University of California, Santa Barbara.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains eight original gelatin-silver prints of the fire of the factory at the Thomas Edison laboratory complex in Orange, New Jersey on Dec 9, 1914. The photos are dated between December 11, 1914 and January 8, 1915. The image dated December 22 depicts a group of men standing in the rubble, including Edison, and is marked with a copyright "T.A.E." presumably for Thomas Alva Edison.

Biographical / historical:

On December 9, 1914, an explosion tore through the film inspection building of Thomas Alva Edison's (2/11/1847-10/18/1931) West Orange, New Jersey laboratory complex. The explosion and ensuing fire were fueled by nitrate film and various chemicals, which spread to engulf ten of the lab's 14 buildings, and ultimately five city blocks.

Built in 1887 to replace his famed Menlo Park facility, the complex was responsible for more than half of Edison's 1,093 patents.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Peter Martland, 2025.
Custodial history:

This collection was purchased by Peter Martland at a City of London Phonograph and Gramophone Society auction.

Arrangement:

The photographs in this collection are arranged in chronological order.

Physical description:
Some tearing, a missing corner, and one photograph has paper glued to the back.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Andrew Harman
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2025-06-16 12:53:00 -0700 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

Property rights to the collection and physical objects belong to the Regents of the University of California, acting through the Department of Special Research Collections at the UCSB Library. All requests to reproduce, publish, quote from, or otherwise reuse collection materials must be submitted in writing to the Department of Special Research Collections, UCSB Library at library-special@ucsb.edu. Credit shall be given as follows: Copyright, Regents of the University of California, acting through the Department of Special Research Collections, UCSB Library.If use restrictions or other concerns exist, consult with supervisor on appropriate note

Preferred citation:

[Identification of Item], Edison factory fire photographs, PA SC 35. Department of Special Research Collections, UC Santa Barbara Library, University of California, Santa Barbara.

Location of this collection:
UC Santa Barbara Library
Santa Barbara, CA 93106-9010, US
Contact:
(805) 893-3062
special@library.ucsb.edu
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