(Illus. The wooden
factory structures soon began burn furiously and the fire
spread rapidly through the rest the Works. The
search for improved, lighter reproducer that would not
damage records became long and difficult one. the
time the fire had been brought under control the next day,
thirteen buildings had been badly damaged destroyed an
O
estimated loss million dollars.3
The diamond point the Edison disc phonograph was
claimed superior the competition's steel stylus
because not only sounded better but also did not have be
replaced.
The year great activity the West Orange complex was
ended December 1914 when fire nearly consumed the whole
area. The flames blazed
for hours and could seen seven miles away Newark.10-1)
Although the fire seriously damaged the West Orange
complex, the laboratory was miraculously saved and with the
precious moulds and recordings for the phonograph business. The condensite
recording media the disc also had perfected. led the clearing
. The
rapid recovery from this disaster testament Edison's
personal leadership the organization. The
resources the laboratory were therefore committed frantic
efforts solve these problems during the winter 1914. Unfortunately, the diamond point acted abrasive
on the record surface and decreased its playing life. The starting point the fire was shed containing
highly inflamable motion picture film stock which stood the
middle the old Phonograph Works buildings
