President of Aamsco Lighting Company to Speak at Thomas Edison Laboratory Complex

On Jan. 16 at 6:30 p.m., Mr. Robert Rosenzweig, President of Aamsco Lighting Company and the Ferrowatt brand of antique reproduction bulbs, will speak on the technical and business history of the incandescent bulb from the 1880s to the 1920s.

Rosenzweig's presentation will also feature a display of historic advertising and period light bulbs. The program will be held at the Thomas Edison National Historical Park Laboratory Complex at 211 Main Street. Seating is limited and reservations are recommended. Reservations can be made by calling 973-736-0550 ext. 89. There is no fee for the program.

Mr. Rosenzweig’s family owned the Ferrowatt Company in Austria
beginning in the late 19th century; it was one of the largest bulb
producers in Europe.  The Nazi regime forced the Jewish owners to sell
the company to the German company Osram/Siemens, and the family
largely perished in the Holocaust.  Mr. Rosenzweig researched the
company history in the 1990s and was able to trademark the name
FERROWATT in order to resume manufacturing a range of reproduction
antique bulbs worldwide.

Rosenzweig will show that the New Jersey/New York area was a center of
innovative bulb production from the 1880s to the 1920s, quite apart
from General Electric and its Edison Mazda bulbs.  He will shine a
light, so to speak, on the fascinating array of companies, players,
and lawsuits of the early bulb industry.  Mr. Rosenzweig will bring
his personal perspective as an insider to this little known part of
our industrial history.

During the month of January, the Year of Innovation Series at Thomas
Edison National Historical Park looks at the early experiments in
electrical lighting as well as new lighting technology.

Special programs each month will explore the themes in EDISON AND THE RISE OF INNOVATION a recent book written by National Park Service archivist Leonard DeGraaf and published by Sterling Signature in October 2013. New programs for all ages will be offered monthly.

For more information and updates about THE YEAR OF INNOVATION - First
Friday, Second Saturday and Third Thursday events, please visit
www.nps.gov/edis monthly. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.