When began design the system in
1881, Edison was more concerned with trying make work
rather than economize the manufacture its component
parts.
Their complaints and pleas for more innovation were referred to
the laboratory.
Edison had begun research fluorescent lamps early as
1888, experimenting with layers fluorescent substances in
high vacuums. The Edison Pearl Street
system had been operation for five years when the West
Orange laboratory opened.5
l Edison lighting companies continually asked the
parent organization for cheaper lamp with better performance. One important line experiments was basic
research new materials for filaments and new types lamps. The operational experience gained operating the first
pioneer central stations (based the Pearl Street station),
coupled with the rapid advance electrical knowledge, offered
many opportunities improve the first generation of
electrical supply systems. The development the incandescent bulb was
an important part the laboratory's electrical work and it
continued into the twentieth century.
Edison's financial interest electrical manufacturing
was additional motivation experiment lowering the cost
of production. The second wave electrical
engineering, which began the West Orange laboratory,
. The business the electrical equipment
suppliers began increase rapidly the late 1880s and
therefore each cost reduction was multiplied the growing
output the manufacturing shops
