On what date did a fire destroy much of Thomas Edison’s West Orange laboratory complex?

A fire destroyed much of Thomas Edison’s West Orange laboratory complex on December 9, 1914.

The fire began at night and swept through several buildings at the New Jersey laboratory. The complex contained experimental equipment, records, materials, and manufacturing facilities, so the damage was extensive.

Edison was 67 when the fire occurred. He reportedly encouraged employees to salvage what they could and treated the disaster as a reason to rebuild rather than abandon the laboratory. His son Charles later recalled Edison urging the family and workers to gather friends because they would never see such a fire again.

The West Orange site remained important after the fire. Edison continued research and development there, and surviving buildings are now preserved as part of Thomas Edison National Historical Park.