WEST ORANGE, NJ — It’s time again to celebrate the Muckers who worked with Thomas Edison. Edison had thousands of great ideas, but one of his paramount achievements was the very process of invention itself. He built research laboratories in West Orange and they became his “invention factory.”
At the heart of this humming structure stood Edison’s “Muckers,” the skilled and trained technologists who nurtured the seeds of Edison’s imagination until they bloomed into new, practical products that changed America and the world.
Edison could push his Muckers hard. Sometimes he required them to work all day and all night until some problem fell to their collective effort.
But Edison also knew the value of each of his Muckers and, during those laborious days and nights, he would bring in food from local eateries to feed his team and keep them going.
On Saturday, Oct. 1, from 5:30 to 9 p.m., the Friends of Thomas Edison National Historical Park will hold its third annual Muckers’ “Ball” to celebrate those Muckers and their vital contributions.
“We’re trying to give our supporters a taste of what it was like to be an Edison Mucker,” Friends of Thomas Edison National Historical Park Chairman Arthur Gordon said in a press release. “People who join us at the event will have a rare chance to tour the laboratory buildings after normal hours and to share a meal as the Muckers might have done during their all-night research sessions.”
“And we’re only calling it a ‘ball’ for fun,” Friends’ Fundraising Chairperson Bernice Manshel said in the release. “People should come dressed for a casual evening of camaraderie and fun.”
However, the Friends encourage attendees to optionally outfit themselves as a Mucker, in the style of the 1890s, or in a steampunk vein.
Following Edison’s lead at his “midnight lunches,” the Friends will offer food from local restaurants and cafes. Food will include hors d’oeuvres, casual grub, sweets, beer, wine and soft drinks; the offerings will come from The Pour House, Libretti’s, The Manor, Bonds Tavern, ShopRite of Essex Green, Supreme Bakery, West Orange Dunkin’ Donuts, Don Juan Restaurant and Benji’s Taqueria Mexican Grill, all located in the Oranges.
Dancing under the tent to live period music provided by pianist Jim Keefe and vintage Edison recordings will enhance the festivities. Also on hand will be Eternal Frontier to add a steampunk hue to the evening.
Muckers’ Ball attendees will be able to visit the museum buildings from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The majority of the event will occur in an outdoor tent at 211 Main St., so attendees should dress warmly as appropriate to the October date. Tickets for the Muckers’ Ball are on sale now and will be available for purchase at a higher cost at the door; there is a reduced rate for Friends members. Patrons can purchase tickets online at www.foedison.org.
All proceeds benefit Thomas Edison National Historical Park. The third annual Muckers’ Ball has a particular focus on raising the $5,000 needed to conserve the historic Edison Time Clock in the main Edison Laboratories building. The time clock was used by Edison workers and by Edison himself to punch in and out on workdays. The face of the clock records the exact time of day that Edison’s body was carried out of the building where it had lain in state in 1931.
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