Yes he is, riding on a wave of support from his home state of Ohio. The great inventor was born in Milan, Ohio on February 11th, 1847. His state sponsors selected him for the honor by voting at various selected historic sites throughout the state.

Edison’s destination is National Statuary Hall in the United States Capital-home to state sponsored famous Americans. Each state may host two statues for the Hall. Mr. Edison’s statue shall join that of President James Garfield, and replace that of Governor William Allen. Following six years of voting, planning, and a matching grant from the Charles Edison Fund, the ETA for the lovely bronze statue is September 21st. John Keegan, President and CEO of the Charles Edison Fund, had the honor of becoming an Honorary Board Member of the Ohio Statuary Hall Commission, and will be in attendance at the placement of the statue.

Edison Statue Unveiled to Citizens of the Ohio Statuary Hall Commission

Often referred to as the world’s greatest inventor, Thomas Edison gave us the electric light bulb and the electric power industry, recorded sound, and motion pictures. Arguably one of the greatest inventions of all time, Edison perfected the invention factory or commercial R&D Lab….which has become the focus of all team-based, new product development efforts worldwide.

So great were his accomplishments that many after his death, this Man of the Millennium as Life Magazine once exclaimed, is still responsible for about 10% of the annual U.S. economy, about $1.6 trillion a year. Even more astounding are estimates that claim his inventions and innovations are today responsible for one-fourth of all the jobs on the planet!

Edison-Inspiration to Ohio Youth

The great inventor will be formally welcomed to Statuary Hall in a bipartisan, bicameral ceremony comprised of: House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI), Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), and House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA).