Edison Tech Center

The Edison Tech Center is an interactive learning center with a central theme of electricity and engineering. The organization was founded in 2001 under the name Edison Exploratorium. "Conceived by Engineer John D. Harnden, Jr., the Edison Tech Center is a dynamic learning center that demonstrates how engineering shapes the world around us, and fosters a new generation of engineers driving innovation and technological growth in 21st Century"[1]

Facilities

The center is located in Schenectady, New York. Schenectady was the historical headquarters of General Electric and George Westinghouse Sr. The center features over 800 artifacts ranging from rare engineering prototypes to common household electrical appliances of decades ago. Artifacts and displays are laid out in an open and flexible fashion so that visitors may touch and interact with the objects. Displays have included: batteries, generators, electric motors, lighting technology, power transmission, microwaves, audio recording, video recording, washing machines, ovens and kitchen appliances, televisions, telephones, and radios.[2] Artifacts include some of the newest available consumer products to show contrast of old and new. The exhibit space includes a library, a presentation area, and conference facilities.

Visitors

The facility is open to any members of the public who are interested in engineering and design.

Online Presence

Edison Tech Center publishes new media and television programs on prominent engineers of the electrical age and various technologies.[3] Since 2008 the center has expanded its online presence to include videos and web pages on a variety of technologies. The website provides information and videos (embedded) on everything from the History of the Transformer to locations showcasing the latest in engineering. The website and video channels reach visitors from around the planet.

The name Edison Tech Center was changed from the original name of Edison Exploratorium in 2009.

Bias

Edison Tech Center has generated discussion on Forbes Magazine[4] and blogs on the validity of contributions claimed by Nikola Tesla and his contemporary fan base. Some users of Reddit[5] and Metabunk[6] claim the portal is reluctant to acknowledge the contributions of Nikola Tesla. The contemporary fan base for Nikola Tesla believes that the name "Edison" in the Edison Tech Center name makes the organization bias. The Edison Tech Center's articles on history were written by freelance writers. The Hudson, Mohawk and Ohio Valleys have a history of inventors from various companies such as Brush Electric Company,[7] General Electric and Westinghouse and contain original archives used by the writers. The Edison Tech Center research has taken researchers across the USA and the world accessing New York State Supreme Court records, General Electric company archives (MiSci),[8] and Stanley Electric Company archives (Berkshire Museum).[9]

References

  1. ↑ Edison Tech Center website
  2. ↑ http://www.EdisonTechCenter.org
  3. ↑ http://www.edisontechcenter.org/catalogue.htm
  4. ↑ http://www.forbes.com/sites/alexknapp/2012/05/18/nikola-tesla-wasnt-god-and-thomas-edison-wasnt-the-devil/
  5. ↑ http://www.reddit.com/r/civ/comments/1j1l96/
  6. ↑ https://www.metabunk.org/threads/tesla-is-overrated-debunking-the-cult-of-tesla.894/#post-46431/
  7. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_F._Brush
  8. ↑ https://www.misci.org/archives/archives.html
  9. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berkshire_Museum

External links