3
invention. Bell and Tainter
exhibited their machine 1886 and this brought them the
attention the press and showdown with Edison. They had the financial support Sigmund Bergmann and he
manufactured several their graphophones.IV- 3
on both sides the Atlantic." Edison could not persuaded come some
accommodation with Bell and Tainter, whom referred as
"pirates", because was planning the construction the
ultimate competitive weapon— the West Orange laboratory.
Edison was offered very generous financial arrangement: all
experimental costs paid for the new company, and all capital
requirements manufacture the machines met, return
for half share the new enterprise. They filed for several patents
in 1885 and formed the Volta Graphophone Company the following
year.
Although Bell and Tainter had considerable lead developing
a commercial phonograph, Edison refused work with them,
claiming November 1887: have assumed all along that the
business was open (to competition), and that with experience
and facilities should have advantage competition." ^
Edison had originally imagined several uses for the
.
Representatives Bell and Tainter visited Edison his
temporary laboratory and suggested that both parties come
together develop and manufacture improved phonograph. Normally, Edison would
have jumped such proposition, yet would have none of
it? his competitive instincts were aroused and feared that
his rivals were going "to deprive the honor the
