Edison had few regrets leaving this industry;
the intense competition discouraged him and expected few
32
profits such environment. The large investment the Ogden operation was
consistent with his strategy becoming manufacturer and not
a response the consolidation the electrical industry that
excluded him.
At the end 1892 Edison was back Ogden, installing
bigger and better equipment and confidently looking forward to
success and great profits. The amalgamation Thomson-Houston into GE
brought Edison's hopes manufacture electric motors an
end, but the Works continued manufacture meters and
instruments for GE. This was done because needed money quickly and
not because was peeved over the formation General
Electric. had lost
.VI-27
laboratory and the Works contained all the machinery needed to
manufacture them. His plan was formulated the rapid
conquest the engineering problems and great increase in
scale.
The 1893 depression hit the electrical industry very
hard, was "perfectly dead" according Tate. The cost installing colossal machines was immense and
Edison could only afford gradual liquidation his
stock GE. This was important contract for the West
31
Orange complex. felt that this
business would generate profits that "will outrank the
incandescent lamp commercial venture". While the
electrical industry floundered, Edison was comforted the
money was going make ore milling
