possible that many machine tools were purchased that they could not
all fit into the shop the first floor and subsequently another shop was created
on the second floor Building Batchelor divided the machine tools between
two floors: heavy machinery the first floor machine shop, smaller machines in
the second floor shop.38 While the laboratory was under
construction, the vast majority the orders were handled the Edison Machine
Works Schenectady.
In late June 1887 Charles Batchelor wrote John Randolph, Edison’s bookkeeper,
telling him that machinery for the West Orange laboratory was ordered
through, and paid for by, the Edison Machine Works and that would best to
set special account for laboratory orders.
In addition handling orders from outside vendors, the Edison Machine Works
manufactured most, not all, the lineshafts, pulleys, and hangers used the
laboratory.
21
.M. Livor, manager of
the Edison Machine Works, advised Batchelor regarding the quality machines
from different manufacturers, likely availability replacement parts, and
acceptable substitutions.40
Edison’s original drawings for the laboratory show only one machine shop (figure
3). H.39
38 Charles Batchelor John Randolph, June 27, 1887 (in 1887, WOL-General, D-87-55). They also built the overhead crane that serves the central aisle the
heavy machine shop.came way dealers such Manning, Maxwell, Moore New York City or
E. other
cases the Machine Works simply handled the paperwork. some cases, machines were shipped other suppliers
to Schenectady, where they were stored until needed West Orange.
40 the crane see: Samuel Insull Charles Batchelor, September and 29, 1887 (in 1887, WOL-
General, D-87-55). Lathe and planer tools were forged Schenectady and
the Machine Works produced iron castings for the laboratory, ranging from
tuyeres and bed plates for the blacksmiths’ forge huge collar that capped the
smokestack.
39 Survey Voucher Collection, 1887, and correspondence 1887, WOL—General, D87-55. Bullard Bridgeport, Connecticut.P. Samuel Insull the Edison Machine Works had determined
that they could make the crane in-house for half the amount bid Yale Towne
Manufacturing Company
