The Thomas A. Edison Papers Digital Edition

The Edison Pioneers was founded in 1918 to honor and maintain connections between Edison employees. Initially, full membership in the Pioneers was available to those had been in Edison's employ up to 1885 and associate membership was open to employees from the 1886 through 1900.  Beginning in 1944 full membership was open to anyone employed before 1900 with associate membership offered to employees from the 1900 to 1931.  In addition, children of deceased Pioneers could join as descendent members and a few people, including Edison and members of his family, were offered honorary memberships.

Prospective members had to submit an application form in which they outlined their work for Edison and many also submitted a more detailed biographical sketch. These became the basis for an “In Memoriam” published by the Edison Pioneers upon the death of a member. These materials are found in the Edison Pioneers Collection at the Thomas Edison National Historical Park, which contains a folder for each pioneer in boxes designated as Biographical Material.