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Edison Electric Light Company Building

Photograph
This is a historic black-and-white photograph of a multi-story brownstone building with large windows, each fitted with striped awnings. The entrance features a grand staircase leading to an arched doorway, where two individuals are standing. A sign near the entrance reads "Edison Electric Light Company," indicating that this was a key office or operational site for Thomas Edison's pioneering electric lighting business. The image appears to be a reprint of an older glass plate negative, as seen in the dark spots and damage along the edges. This suggests that it was preserved for historical documentation.
Edison Electric Light Company Building picture number 1

The Edison Electric Light Company was established in 1878 by Thomas Edison to develop and commercialize his electric lighting system, particularly his improvements to the incandescent light bulb. This company played a critical role in the electrification of cities and later became part of General Electric (GE). This building could be one of several Edison offices in New York City, possibly located on Pearl Street, where the first central power station was constructed in 1882. Notably, Lewis Howard Latimer, an African American inventor and draftsman, worked with Edison and contributed to the development of carbon filament light bulbs, making them longer-lasting and more commercially viable. The presence of individuals at the entrance suggests this photograph may have been taken as a documentation of staff or as part of promotional materials showcasing the company's operations. Given the architectural style, the photograph likely dates to the late 19th or early 20th century.

Latimer Family Papers (1870-1996 ) [QPL Full Collection]

Sign on the building: "Edison Electric Light Company"