Comparison
with photographs taken during the period 1904-1917 shows much less cluttered
room with plenty space top (and below) the experimental tables.
There are important conceptual links between tables. Reducing
the number items this building will important step returning to
its appearance during the interpretive period. Interpretation of
this area should stress the links between the work done each table: H.
To get the best idea the way the laboratory looked during the 1910-1914 period,
photographs and documents broader period have been examined.
Lancaster produced chemical table used Albert Petit table Laverty
181
. The furnishings plan therefore based a
composite several photographs from different time periods, ddition a
1914 inventory.Building Chemical Laboratory
The guiding principle this plan that less more: the laboratory now
stands is.
As the rubber project occupied Thomas Edison’s declining years, the building
began fill with equipment (the current interpretation the site). The
evidence from the target period not sufficient show how each table the
building looked and how chemicals and equipment were arranged the table
tops.
As far possible this plan assigns experimenter each table and specific
experimental project each table. The
experiments required mass complicated equipment including glassware and
rubber tubing. Although the arrangement the chemical laboratory changed
from 1904 1917, for interpretive purposes, the assumption that the way
chemical experiments were carried out, including use and placement major
pieces equipment, did not change significantly. used evidence. This forms block four
tables the front half the building devoted one subject. Work the laboratory has been simplified make more
intelligible the visitor. Consequently photographs dating from 1904 1917 have been examined
and will be. the period 1910-1914, the work the chemistry laboratory
focused developing materials for phonograph records and testing batteries. The work developing and
testing chemicals for phonograph records took place tables and the east
side the aisle and tables and the west side.
These two projects require different equipment and much less it. The visitor should know, however, that in
Edison’s laboratory men and experiments migrated from table table and chaos
generally ruled.cluttered with load ofjunk accumulated over the years. The concern
here highlight the materials involved these projects-phenol resins, waxes,
shellacs, nickel plate, sulfuric acid-and the properties the different
combinations chemicals.W
