The
rise power Miller Reese Hutchison led several structural changes intended
to improve the efficiency the laboratory. Both ran into millions dollars experimental expenses. This period marked the resurgence the Edison
laboratory after the economic downturn the 1890s. The coming ofWorld War brought new challenges and
significant changes the Edison enterprise.
Edison was away from the site for much the duration America’s involvement
in the war.
Edison went building spree that added many new buildings the plant site:
an administration building, new building make records (Building 24),
enlargements the Phonograph Works, and completely new set storage
battery factories across the road from the laboratory. New products were manufactured,
new contract research initiated, and many new employees came the site. was participating the desperate search find solution the
U-boat problem. This was experimental project some irony, for Edison had
done his best advance the submarine threat producing his special alkaline
submarine batteries the years before the war. Like
every other major manufacturing concern the United States, Thomas Edison
Inc. These two experimental projects were the
most arduous and the most expensive ever mounted this any other Edison
laboratory.
Period II: 1901-1914.
While the exterior fabric the six main laboratory buildings was not significantly
changed, there was continual program alterations within these buildings. The development the modern
87
. 1901
Edison began close his ore milling plants and look for new products revitalize
his finances the twentieth century.and the ore milling plant had built the mountains New Jersey. put its production and experimental facilities the disposal the
government.
The site was also changed accommodate two major new product lines: the
diamond disc and the storage battery. The phonograph business
finally began meet Edison’s expectations and the yearly income over million
dollars that came from the phonograph supported massive program expansion
at the West Orange site.
Period III: 1915-1931. great
deal new equipment was imported made the laboratory the
development programs
