1888 the Edison
Electric Light Company formed Standardization Bureau to
oversee the standardization each component part the
Edison electric lighting system. Six
months operations brought such bad feeling between the
Bureau and the engineering departments that the demarcation
lines between them had redefined— the Bureau gaining the
power initiate and implement all engineering changes. The central role the West Orange
laboratory this reorganization remained unchanged: was to
produce innovations when "entirely new forms are required which
the factories are not prepared originate.
The Bureau also carried out many functions that had
originated with Edison's laboratory, such gathering and
dissemination operating experience and technical
information, acting receptacle for complaints about the
system, and making sure all engineering changes were carried
out the manufacturers. The rapid expansion the industry had led the
creation separate engineering departments illuminating
companies and electrical manufacturers.V-19
enterprise was forced become more efficient meet
competition and one area improvement was the engineering
effort." Each part of
. The duplication of
engineering services each level the organization was
wasteful and the management soon moved rationalize the
engineering effort the Edison enterprise. This involved close
supervision the many engineering and test departments that
were all working individually electrical problems
