IV- 1
CHAPTER FOUR
THE PHONOGRAPH
A CASE STUDY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
The phonograph played important part Edison's
financial plans for the laboratory; was the first
product come out the new lab and immediate source of
operating funds. Edison spent
years his time and considerable part his fortune his
attempts introduce commercial phonograph.
The 1877 tinfoil phonograph was more than a
demonstration model the idea, scientific curiosity an
amusing toy Scientific American had noted. Edison had mount a
massive research and development program bring "perfected"
phonograph market.^ was not. Edison was depending the rapid introduction
of his improved phonograph replenish his treasury. The phonograph might have been Edison's
"baby"— his favorite invention— but proved a
temperamental and unresponsive machine that stoutly resisted
perfection! The phonograph project required all the speed,
flexibility, and control Edison could muster and strained
even the large-scale facilities West Orange. The first
great test Edison's business strategy for his West Orange
laboratory was therefore the phonograph
