The December 1914 Edison Fire - A Comprehensive Historical Analysis
On December 9, 1914, at approximately 5:15 p.m., a catastrophic fire erupted at Thomas Edison's West Orange laboratory complex in New Jersey, destroying or severely damaging **15 of 22 buildings** and causing damages estimated between **$1-7 million**. The fire originated from an explosion of highly combustible nitrate film in Building 41 (the Film Inspection Department), though alternative theories involving industrial sabotage have persisted into modern times. Edison's iconic response—"Although I am over 67 years old, I'll start all over again tomorrow"—captured his resilience, and within th
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