The Edison Tech Center is a unique multi-department, dynamic, hands-on workshop that turns the technological revolution into an experience and transforms the historic giants of technology into "virtual" teachers and motivators, The organization is a 501(c)3 non-profit which has been recognized by General Electric with its matching funds program.
What we do:
1. The Edison Tech Center aims to inspire the young to discover the joy of building and tinkering. Working in the technology field can be a source of great joy and purpose to one's life. This interest can lead to a future in engineering.
2. The organization aims to create a sense of respect and wonder for the history of engineering. This is achieved through its artifacts on display, it's hands-on exhibits, and online videos and web pages which highlight great engineers.
3. The Edison Tech Center is an educational tool. The facilities have benefited many visitors over the last 9 years, while the videos provide an educational resource to teachers in classrooms world wide.
Recent Testimony:
"Thanks a lot. You're videos helped me out in a school project. I couldn't find many other videos to help me until I saw this page." -YouTube User"Great piece of history. It is great to know the story behind Sputnik and development of GPS. Wonderful!!" -Ogramare (YouTube user)
"Thanks for this. Useful for my exam, and better explained than some lecturers!" - frodoondabass (YouTube user)
Nobel Prize winner Ivar Giaever has supported the Edison Tech Center in its efforts over the years. This help continued this year with his connection to the new Capital Lyceum, a special school for gifted urban students. The Edison Tech Center will help the new school by providing its facilities and artifacts as learning tools starting when it opens.
About this Region:
Schenectady County the home of the renowned GE Global Research, is a global community with more patents per capita than any other place in the world. During the visits here by the many foreign technical experts, they often inquire about the technological heritage of Schenectady.
The many living scientists, inventors, and engineers who are, or who worked closely with, the local pioneers of technology are aging—but, retain a passion that helped create the Edison Tech Center, building on the strengths of the past with the goal of inspiring inventive genius. We apply the mentoring capability of this living heritage so we can understand and appreciate the technical foundation which is the basis for the future.
Click image to see a map of regional engineering feats
Paul Tonko and our mural painter Claude Seward
About Schenectady: In just five years, after 1886, the Edison Machine Works expanded from two locomotive buildings to this renowned plant of 1891. American Locomotive Company (ALCO) also had a large factory on the northeastern part of the city. Edison and others that he inspired gave birth to the Electrical Age, giving Schenectady its motto "The City that Lights and Hauls the World." The work of those electrical pioneers led to the global General Electric company that we know today. On the shoulders of such giants, come here and explore how it was done, what is being done now, and prospects for the future.
Operations:
We currently operate on regular basis with 6 volunteer part-time staff members and 3 paid helpers. We have a membership which you may join with a 30 dollar donation. With membership you will receive our bi-yearly newsletter and free admission.
Hope for expansion in the future:
The Edison Tech Center of the future will, include suitable conference facilities. The world of invention and engineering needs a gathering place to convene, collaborate, and be inspired. The now-demolished (1999) United Engineering Center in New York City functioned for about 30 years, serving some 14 technical groups having a million-plus overall membership. Various related trade associations, including UL, CSA, NEMA, and others are likely to participate. Many thousands of these groups hold meetings of worldwide peers each year and need conference facilities to accommodate up to 3,000 persons for plenary sessions and auxiliary space for smaller meetings. Why not in Schenectady, America's original Tech Valley?
If you wish to donate, click here. We are a 501c3 Non-profit
Back to Home
copyright 2010 Edison Tech Center
