Thomas Edison Describes His Love of Florida—Interview

Interviews published in newspapers, magazines, or books can provide information about events in history or the way people lived and thought in the past. Below, Thomas Edison, a famous inventor, describes his love of Florida.

Primary Source

“I looked forward to the time when I would be getting on in years and would want to come to Florida every winter, and I couldn't image a nicer place than Fort Myers. There were wild ducks by the acre, the river was full of fish, and it seemed to afford a perfect opportunity for rest and recreation….

“…Not infrequently I am asked what contributions Florida has made to me. Pleasure, rest and recreation are real but not necessarily tangible assets, but in addition to these things, I feel that at the least Florida has given me five years of additional life. Perhaps I can stretch it out to six or seven years, but of five added years I am reasonably certain….

“Whether the so-called ‘boom’ will continue is not of so much moment. If the State's development has been pushed too fast, necessarily there will come a lull, but in any event all these things will adjust themselves. The real Florida will never lose its appeal.”

Excerpt. from “Florida Has Added Five Years to My Life,” an interview by George Holland published in Suniland Magazine, vol. 3, no. 6, 1926, p. 35.

Background

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, people from many other states came to Florida to vacation and escape the cold northern winters. Word spread quickly about the state's excellent climate and natural beauty. One visitor to Florida was the inventor Thomas Edison. He began coming to Florida in 1884 for “working vacations,” developing many of his inventions, trying out new ideas, and creating a botanical garden. In 1926, he spoke in an interview about the state.