Yesterday we went with two friends to The Thomas Edison Museum, which consists of his experimental laboratory complex where he and his huge staff of employees did experiments, developed and mass-produced many of Edison’s thousands of inventions. I enjoyed seeing the prototype records and moving pictures, as well as Edison’s “Black Maria,” which was the first movie set where his company made the first motion pictures. He also sold the first sound recordings and developed the electric industry so people could use his light bulbs. He founded dozens of companies, most of which have been absorbed into others, although several still exist as General Electric and Consolidated Edison. This was definitely a worthwhile trip which I recommend to anybody visiting northern NJ.

Afterwards we visited Edison’s nearby mansion, which was impressive but on a totally different level. Finally we went to dinner in a small Italian restaurant where all the entrees were only $9.95 and came with bread and salad. Jean had chicken parmigiana, while I had baked ziti with eggplant. Yes, I definitely ate too much!