Experimenting meant that one could never anticipate what could
be needed, not only tools and metal parts but also all kinds of
materials. The greatest lab the world was equipped
.16
contained the vital parts experimental projects, and their
arrival West Orange during the first weeks December must
1 9
be taken the true start work the new lab.
Having everything hand was the great advantage building
the biggest research laboratory the world. During 1887 and 1888 stream of
consignments arrived West Orange from all parts America,
not only lengths steel and pipe but rare and exotic
materials such seahorse teeth and cow hair.
In addition the loads tools and equipment arriving
at West Orange, Edison had also ordered masses supplies for
the store rooms the lab. The main store
room was set the first floor the main laboratory
building, between the library and the machine shops. the big lab, Edison wouldn't have search out
rare books and new technical journals because they lined the
shelves the library, and wouldn't have search the
world for some crucial raw material that might needed.
Edison believed that the process invention could only
be successful carried out next store house of
materials— "the most important part experimental
13
laboratory big scrap heap." The larger the heap the
better, for somewhere the pile different materials and
discarded experimental apparatus might the key part to
invention
