Thomas A. Edison

The bamboo is a later embellishment. Edison came west with Henry Draper's party to watch the total eclipse of July 29, 1878 at Rawlins, then hunted and fished in these mountains before leaving Rawlins on August 19. Historian Phil Roberts thought the legend probably grew from a remark about inventing the lamp while lying under the stars, with the fishing pole in the campfire added later still. The first filament that worked was carbonized cotton thread, in 1879, and bamboo came after it. Six or seven hundred people turned out for the dedication in September 1949 anyway.

What the plaque says

Thomas A. Edison camped near this spot in 1878, while on a fishing trip. It was here that his attention was directed to the fiber from his bamboo fishing pole which he tested as a suitable filament for his incandescent electric lamp. Born February 11, 1847 - Died October 18, 1931 Age 84 Placed by the Historical Landmark Commission of Wyoming 1949

Where it stands

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• Encampment, Wyoming — 12 mi