" These efforts
nevertheless failed prevent some costly recalls of
36
phonographs back West Orange.
Although sales business machines were very
disappointing, growing demand for amusement phonographs kept
Edison's hopes, and the finances the North American
Phonograph Company, alive. The phonograph was a
complicated product and took long time train the work
force; many the delays were caused "breaking in" new
men. The entertainment value the
phonograph had been first demonstrated the showmen who
attracted crowds listen the machine and pay for the
privilege. The
increased attention given quality control was considered to
be well worth the time and expense; Tate wrote Edison in
1892: satisfied that had you been less rigid your
methods inspecting phonograph parts, the North American
Company would have big claims today.^^
The laboratory provided the testing that was essential to
maintain quality. Edison
responded this market developing coin-operated machine
.IV-20
job, from tool-maker factory manager. The sub-assemblies and completed units were
checked the third floor the laboratory skilled staff
who knew the standard that Edison wanted for reproduction. Penny arcades were set small businessmen to
sell this form entertainment larger scale. Even
when inspectors were employed the Works, was the lab
staff who had the last word the sound the machines
