The first cot purchased for the laboratory was canvas model, delivered the
summer 1888. Later,
Edison switched metal cot, and before the offices were installed around 1916
the bed was moved alcove 3."428 Meanwhile, according numerous newspaper accounts, his
wife Mina urged employees save the contents his library, and possibly his
second floor experimental room too.
The December 1914, fire the Edison works West Orange made front page
news the surrounding area and received comprehensive coverage newspapers
around the country.
When Edison wanted rush down the laboratory the next day soon he
awoke, Mina delayed him.
428 The New York Times, December 10, 1914.
427 See figures and 71.I tried think something that might make the loss that appeared inevitable a
little lighter for him, and decided the spur the moment that if, after the fire, I
could surround him with the very things had grown accustomed seeing the
office did his work for years, would able continue his work and
finding things much like they were before every side, forget the great loss
that would then out sight.426 1905 photograph Edison’s cot shows that was located
at that time alcove next the window. Beginning the film inspection
department building the block behind Building the fire spread quickly the
supposedly fireproof concrete buildings surrounding the original six brick buildings
of the laboratory. The fire began about 5:30 the evening and was not
extinguished until early the next morning.427 some point obtained screen for
privacy, but only pictured photographs taken after Edison’s death.
426 Voucher 803, July 18, 1888.fall asleep anywhere for short periods, then awake feeling completely refreshed. She telephoned Meadowcroft and between the two of
them they arranged for all the books and other materials replaced exactly
126
. Amazingly, while the surrounding block Edison’s buildings
burned, Building and the smaller laboratory buildings remained unharmed. was reported that after saving some his
papers herself, Mina directed employees remove books, papers, experiments,
and art works Glenmont... When asked why she had gone such effort save
these items, she replied:
.
Edison calmly watched part his empire burn, and promised "start all over
again tomorrow. This early cot was wooden, made up
with ticking-striped pillows and mattress, and Indian-style blanket
