Menlo Park laboratory (1876–1886) Research and development facility thumb|Edison's Menlo Park Laboratory, reconstructed at Greenfield Village in Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan thumb|Edison's Menlo Park Lab in 1880 Edison's major innovation was the establishment of an industrial research lab in 1876. It was built in Menlo Park, a part of Raritan Township (now named Edison Township in his honor) in Middlesex County, New Jersey, with the funds from the sale of Edison's quadruplex telegraph. After his demonstration of the telegraph, Edison was not sure that his original plan to sell it for $4,000 to $5,000 was right, so he asked Western Union to make a bid. He was surprised to hear them offer $10,000 , which he gratefully accepted. The quadruplex telegraph was Edison's first big financial success, and Menlo Park became the first institution set up with the specific purpose of producing constant technological innovation and improvement. Edison was legally credited with most of the inventions produced there, though many employees carried out research and development under his direction. His staff was generally told to carry out his directions in conducting research, and he drove them hard to produce results.
menlo park laboratory (1876–1886) research and development facility thumb|edison's menlo park laboratory reconstructed at greenfield village in henry ford museum in dearborn michigan thumb|edison's menlo park lab in 1880 edison's major innovation was the establishment of an industrial research lab in 1876 it was built in menlo park a part of raritan township (now named edison township in his honor) in middlesex county new jersey with the funds from the sale of edison's quadruplex telegraph after his demonstration of the telegraph edison was not sure that his original plan to sell it for $4000 to $5000 was right so he asked western union to make a bid he was surprised to hear them offer $10000  which he gratefully accepted the quadruplex telegraph was edison's first big financial success and menlo park became the first institution set up with the specific purpose of producing constant technological innovation and improvement edison was legally credited with most of the inventions produced there though many employees carried out research and development under his direction his staff was generally told to carry out his directions in conducting research and he drove them hard to produce results