Edison Botanical Laboratory, Model-T Ford Touring Car,

This is the last of the Winter estate blogs.Located on the grounds are The Edison Botanical laboratory,research beds, as well as hundreds of plants still growing around the estate. They have three of Fords early Model A cars. I did not realize how many different industries Edison was involved in. Besides great photo opportunities, this was a lovely walk. Riva and I went to Ford Garage Restaurant for lunch and a walk around the Historical Ft. Myers downtown area.

Thomas Edison, Henry Ford and Harvey Firestone started the Edison botanic Research Corp. in 1927. The were looking for a source of rubber that could be grown locally. After testing 17000 plants they discovered Goldenrod was a good source of natural rubber.
The laboratory was built in 1928 and the headquarters for Edison and his staff until 1936 when the projects were transferred to the US Department of Agriculture  The layout contained a chemical processing area, machine shop, grinding room, office and dark room.

Turkey Platter ca 1880
Haviland & company was selected to make the state dinner service for President Rutherford B. Hayes.
Theodore Davis, artist-correspondent for Harper's Weekly, was asked by Mrs. Hayes to design dinnerware
decorated with american flora and fauna. Eight duplicate sets were sent from Limoges to stores in various
metropolitan areas. Edison's platter is marked Design patented Aug 10th 1880 #11936.
Pieces numbered 11932 -11936 were produced for sale to the general public. In April of 1878 Edison met President Hayes and demonstrated his new phonograph

record / recording inventions

delivery truck

machine shop

chemical lab

office

from the Edison Children's furniture company