Every city and town in
America wanted the electric light and private companies were
only too happy oblige. The
electrical companies that Edison founded the early 1880s
grew into structured organizations run professional
managers.V-14
THE LEADENED COLLAR
The increasing scale electrical technology demanded
better organized companies finance and administer it.
. As
Chandler noted The Visible Handy large supply and traction
schemes led the evolution business organizations with the
26
operational and financial resources run them. The manufacturing "shops" were hard
pressed keep pace with the explosive growth the
electrical supply industry.
The Edison lighting companies were growing ever larger,
and assuming more financial obligations, they encouraged a
forced growth the lighting industry. Their relationship with the West Orange laboratory
had change when more formal management style clashed with
Edison's informal leadership. While the Edison companies were
controlled the "old man" and their management was carried
out "the boys," there was little that Edison could not do;
but these companies grew their management had take a
harder line Edison's activities, especially his billing
practices for expensive R&D projects
