Beyond safety and common sense,
it can argued that these guards are historically appropriate, although not to
this particular establishment.639
The shop now very full, and will remain even after the post-1920 machines
are removed, but needs three additional types objects order successfully
recreate historic scene-machinists’ tools, personal effects, and work in
progress.
272
.
There are some changes that cannot, should not, made the name of
historical veracity. Guards this type, built angle-iron, wire cloth,
and perforated sheet metal, were used other American machine shops early
as the turn the century. would irresponsible recommend removing protective devices if
any the shop’s machinery operated. Edison employment records, cited the occupancy sections, listed 22
machinists and three machine shop supervisors working the laboratory 1910. All the existing guards were place
by 1939. The only two machines removed between 1920 and
1939 that would readily apparent visitors the present tour route are a
lathe and drill press the courtyard door, near where the time clock now
mounted. Replacements should secured for double spindle drill
press, speed lathe, and small shaper.
Machine shop superintendent Charles Luhr signed time cards for 32
839 John Bowditch, "Report Operating the Machine Shop the Edison Laboratory West Orange,
New Jersey,” November 26, 1991.
This plan advocates removing the seven machines that post-date the
interpretative period, moving another seven their 1914-1920 locations, and
acquiring replacements for three machines that have disappeared since 1920. A
drill press, shaper, and lathe should moved within the shop their 1914
locations. (Edison NHS Administrative Files). The shaper, surface grinder, drill press, precision bench lathe, and shop
foreman’s desk that migrated the second floor precision shop after 1920 should
be returned well. machine belt guards are visible the 1914 photographs
nor are they evident the 1929 image. lathe, shaper, and drill press,
installed after 1920 replace pre-1914 machines, can left place because they
are visually similar their predecessors.
Although these may sound like substantial changes involving many tons cast-
iron, differences between this plan and the existing shop are comparatively minor,
considering that this was industrial environment that remained active for 10-
15 years after the period want interpret.Most the changes took place the rear the shop, near the row columns on
the Lakeside Avenue side.
Three lathes, two grinders, milling machine, keysetting machine, and their
associated accessories, all installed after 1920, should removed storage
