VIII-25
battery could return profit.^® Dyer probably originated the idea a
centralized organization and then sold the "old man. The middle managers were responsible for the economical
operation the departments.
Information about financial strategies, accounting techniques,
and company organization flowed between the staff the
National Phonograph Company and its contacts banking and
accounting. Each product was supported a
department that attended the paperwork production and
sales. Professional accountants were particularly
fruitful conduit information; they saw great number of
different companies the course their work and their
detailed financial knowledge gave them valuable insights into
organization."
When Edison finally made the decision merge several Edison
companies 1910 "to bring them under single corporation,"
the National Phonograph Company was chosen the core of
the new organization. This body also listened
39
.
The development professional management structure in
the Edison enterprise opened new information network. departmental committee for each
product was created and here the department manager got
together with representatives from advertising, production, and
engineering formulate sales plans and ensure concerted
action from all departments involved. had the largest administrative
staff and its accounting, legal, advertising, and production
departments were the building blocks new, more
centralized management
