The Bates numbering
stamp was ideal product for the Works, which was fully
equipped for high precision manufacture. had ceased a
business venture and had become technical challenge. He
instructed his managers reduce the labor force and obtain
outside work for the Edison Phonograph Works keep the
machines running. Edison was absorbed these engineering
problems that gradually lost sight the economic
parameters the ore milling project. The great experience
in producing small electrical equipment was also asset for
the Works, and much 1892 was taken trying win a
large contract from the Thomson-Houston company manufacture
small motors. These fan motors had been designed the
30
.VI-26
m working order shall easily solve it.
The financial strain enlarging the Ogden works meant
that Edison had cut back expenditure West Orange. The Bates numbering machine company was
purchased and production was begun 1892."
Once again, Edison had underestimated the number of
technical problems solved. The resources the laboratory were applied
to process mould the ore into briquettes. The iron masters were not
happy using powdered ore and did not perform satisfactorily
in their furnaces. This improved
the handling characteristics the ore but did nothing to
control its high phosphorus content— major disadvantage in
the market place. His attention was initially on
the output ore, but soon had come grips with
problems inside the blast furnace
