USS Edison (DD-439) USS Edison (DD-439) USS "Edison" (DD-439), a , was the first ship of the United States Navy to be named for Thomas Alva Edison, an inventor and businessman who developed many important devices and received the Navy Distinguished Service Medal for his contributions to the Navy during World War I. "Edison" was one of the few U.S. Navy ships to be named for a civilian. "Edison" was launched 23 November 1940 by Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Company, Kearny, New Jersey sponsored by Mrs. Thomas Alva Edison, widow of the inventor; and commissioned 31 January 1941, Lieutenant Commander A. C. Murdaugh
Thomas Alva Edison Memorial Tower and Museum completed by Tyler Kerekgyarto of Troop 12, based in Edison, NJ. The sign contains information about the museum, the website, and hours of operation. The sphere atop the tower has been called the ""world's largest light bulb"". Another famous sphere, the Union Watersphere, that has long been known as the ""world's tallest water sphere"" is located in nearby Union. Thomas Alva Edison Memorial Tower and Museum The Thomas Edison Center at Menlo Park, also known as the Menlo Park Museum / Edison Memorial Tower, is a memorial to inventor and businessman Thomas Alva Edison, located in the Menlo Park area