When returned West
Orange after working for the government during the war, Edison was concerned
about the hard times ahead; correctly anticipated greater competition his
core phonograph and storage battery businesses. The
old era muckers—experimenters who worked with Edison-and all night
experiments was over. Edison responded this crisis discharging thousands of
employees from factory laborers John Constable, chief engineer the
laboratory. The
process specialization and bureaucratization can seen the emergence a
new kind employee West Orange, the accountant and financial analyst. The post-war depression hit
hard 1921. Lines authority were
constantly being redefined and strict hierarchy was maintained the West
Orange laboratory after 1914.
72 Miller Reese Hutchison Diary, January 1921.
This period marked slow decline after the boom World War 1917
government contracts created many new jobs West Orange and the work force
increased significantly. There were around 180-190 men work the laboratory
during World War I. The old work culture which glorified personal initiative and operated in
an environment chaos was being slowly replaced.72 1921, was estimated that less than 2000 workers remained in
the factories West Orange. its place was tightly run business operation. During the war there were about 8,000 men the whole Edison
complex compared with about 3,000 the turn the century. The professionalization the work force
was widespread the American economy this time. from 1916 1921, first Employment Supervisor and then Director Personnel.
The laboratory work force was reorganized several times during this period. Hutchison also notes that Edison "clipped Charles’
wings. the West Orange
laboratory this movement can seen the type man hired the twentieth
century.generalists the nineteenth century. the end the
hostilities there may have been many 11,000 men employed Edison at
West Orange.70 After the initial loss workers the armed forces, there
was rapid increase the labor force, covering both laboratory and factory
employees.73 Retrenchment continued the financial
33
.
But this was only temporary prosperity.
71 "The Business Activities Mark Jones," Mark Jones Papers, Box Jones was employed by
Thomas Edison, Inc."
73 "Business Activities Mark Jones," Mark Jones Papers, Box 1.71
70 Employee Records, Edison Laboratory Time Sheets, 1918, Box 115
