Menlo Park, NJ was named after Menlo Park, CA, which in turn was named after Menlough on Lough Corib in Ireland.  There are various theories as to why Menlough was abbreviated to Menlo by the 2 Irishmen who named Menlo Park, CA – possibly because there wasn’t enough space on the sign that Oliver and McGlynn built at the entrance to their estate, possibly because they didn’t know how to spell, or possibly because they thought it was a hip and cool new Americanized spelling of their hometown.

Thomas Edison purchased 34 acres in Menlo Park, NJ in 1875, and his father helped him build the main laboratory and other buildings. While there, he and his devoted staff invented a few things, including the first phonograph that could play back recorded sound.  This earned Edison the nickname ‘Wizard of Menlo Park,’ and people from around the world traveled to Menlo Park for demonstrations of Edison’s phonograph.

This “Standard” Edison Phonograph Horn has 10 convex petals and its original decal. Siren #127 stands approximately 32” tall with a 19” bell. This type of horn would have been used with an Edison cylinder phonograph with a support crane. The base is made from a reclaimed cherry mantel and finished with Betty’s Board Butter (beeswax & mineral oil). You may wish to re-oil your base occasionally.