Karl
Compton, scientist from Princeton, was detailed the laboratory volunteer
at Edison’s request 1917.During the early years West Orange, least, employees the laboratory from
machinists shop boys chemists were permitted use the library consult or
borrow reference material.196
ISS Notebook N-88-01-30. Kennelly,
Schulze-Berge, Cousens, and Fessenden were frequent borrowers..But normally the factory workers didn’t spend too much time up
there the library. Dr.On looking over his work, however,
[Compton] found that had based all calculations formula for alcohol,
C^H^On, which sugar..197 Another employee, however, remembered that while Edison spent a
lot time the chemical laboratory and the library: "As matter fact we
young fellows, when we’d come the yard-it was kind off limits, you weren’t
supposed wandering around the library, and we’d peek the door the
chemical lab.
196 Voucher 530, 1890. other words, had been actually finding out what
fuels would better than sugar for driving the Navy’s torpedoes.
Access the library for research purposes seems have continued into the
twentieth century. When Edison left,
according Laverty, would say "good night" and leave Laverty alone the
library. The scientists
agreed completely the method they were using:
but disagreed radically conclusions. When asked
him where the world had got that formula for alcohol said, ‘you see, a
mathematician and not chemist went the library*, and with that showed
me ancient book chemistry, which C^H^On was actually given the
formula for alcohol,199
63
...196 May
1890 Edison purchased books from his usual dealer, Van Nostrand Company,
specifically for his employees."198
Recollections scientist working the laboratory during World War indicate
that the library was still open employees for research that time.
199 Science, vol.. Paul Laverty started working for Edison 1909 the age of
16. Edison suggested meet with another volunteer
scientist working the same problem and compare methods.
197 Laverty Speiden, September 17, 1963, Historian’s Note 68.
199 Edward Daly interview, nd, Oral History Project, 12. These included Facts Worth Knowing, Engineer's
Pocketbook, and Humber’s Handy Book Strains. 1963 interview recalled that Edison allowed him free run the
library, and that often stayed there late into the night. 1888 notebook records books checked out from the
library employees from January that year through February 1890. 75, 1933, 70
