Edison Electric Pen, circa 1877
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Artifact Overview
Thomas Edison's electric pen, an ancestor of both the mimeograph and the tattoo needle, was a successful product in the mid-1870s. Users would write normally with the pen, which, instead of a nib, had a needle powered by an electric motor. The needle poked holes into a stencil, which was then used to copy the document. Many businesses found document duplication an attractive possibility.
Artifact Details
Artifact
Stylus
Date Made
circa 1877
Place of Creation
Location
On Loan - Museum of the City of New York
Object ID
29.1980.1133
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of the Edison Pioneers.
Material
Iron (Metal)
Dimensions
Height: 6 in
Diameter: 3.5 in
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Related Content
Set
On the Road with The Henry Ford
- 16 Artifacts
Despite the vast acreage of exhibit space that comprises the campuses of The Henry Ford, most of our assets reside in storage. The Henry Ford's loan program allows audiences from around the world who may never be able to visit Dearborn to connect with our collections. We collaborate with local, national, and international institutions to provide artifacts that tell America's innovation story to inspire learners and doers everywhere.