Although needed Edison's mercurial presence to
galvanize the lab into action, the facility could, and did,
function successfully without him. Edison had set management system his West
Orange laboratory and his departure the middle 1889 was a
real test its efficiency and stability. Batchelor
personified the duality manager and experimenter that Edison
required from his chief lieutenants. took active part in
experiments ore milling, phonographs, and kinetoscopes,
working them simultaneously his notebooks show. The manufacture of
primary batteries was also going very well, and Batchelor had
Q
plans sell the surplus outside customers. He
supervised the experimenters work Building various
aspects the phonograph.
. Their goal was put improved
model into mass production the beginning the Christmas
sales season.VI- 4
laboratory staff strived bring these projects successful
conclusions. He
assured Edison that production wax cylinders was underway at
a new building the Phonograph Works.
Charles Batchelor was charge the lab Edison's
absence. Batchelor reported Edison that progress was
being made the toy doll and long playing phonograph. supervised research, made all the business
decisions, and managed the Edison Phonograph Works. One the office
staff noted that everything went "hum drum kind way"
while the "old man" was absent, each experimenter with his
allotted task and Edison's lieutenants sending regular reports
to the boss
