Speiden C. One conclusion might that
this space was turned into exhibit area during the 1930s demonstrate
certain aspects the rubber research carried out Edison the waning years of
his career. comparison of
the 1930 and 1939 photographs shows completely different laboratory 1939.R.538
537 Ibid.
The only accurate reflection Edison’s work this laboratory the late 1920s
was the stock chemicals which was left unchanged until the 1940s._Williams, "Rearrangement Edison
Laboratories into Permanent Museum," February 16, 1939, Historical Research Dept.440/441, neg. 6646 and 12. Great care
was taken preserve chemical solutions and label bottles the years
immediately after Edison’s death.440/474, neg. laboratory
employee, Schimerka, had the task relabelling bottles the chemistry
laboratory, but not known how far this project progressed. Crushing machinery was the table the left the door
as one enters the building, Soxhlet and other extracting equipment were tables
on the right, without empty space seen anywhere.
Equipment connected the rubber project had been carefully laid out the
experimental tables.
840 Norman Speiden interview, June 1973, Oral History Project, 25;
Building 2
The plan for Building was restore the way had been when Edison died.S.
0-902, dated September 1952, Edison NHS collection, not reproduced this report. 9-10.museum space and the rooms the back were used for offices the
foundation.A.
The idea was that "it will remain nearly possible the condition was left
by Mr. no. One former employee stated "all the
161
.637 The museum space was filled with documents and artifacts
describing Edison’s career inventor. Morris, E."639 Even the contents chemical bottles were replaced
with the solutions that had once been them and then sealed up.F.
538 Speiden memo, January 28, 1948; see photographs 12. Coakley, and N.F.
An analysis the labor records presents even more evidence reject the idea
that Building looks did when Edison died. Edison.640
By the 1950s the laboratory bore some resemblance its present state (figure 40).
539 B. Ellwood, J. Although this display
accurately reflects the type equipment used the rubber project, does not
reflect the way Building looked the time Edison’s death. Some large Edison generators were
acquired from the Henry Ford Museum Dearborn, Michigan, and these were
added the phonographs, film projectors, and electric car which were
arranged the two exhibit rooms., pp. no
