Where the Edison lab diverges from the convention an
American research laboratory, was its relationship with the
manufacturing facility. The lab was not adjunct manufacturing facility
. Willis Whitney, the
manager GE's laboratory, moved this direction very
quickly and 1901 the laboratory was solving engineering
problems brought them other parts the company. Edison's plan was not for laboratory
to support manufacturing, provide defensive technology to
ward off the competition, was the case with the Mechanical
room and Dudley's lab; but the center for vast industrial
complex. Much
the same can said for the Bell Company's pioneer industrial
research laboratory. But soon gave this up,
abandoning theoretical work for "the practical development of
29
instruments and apparatus.
Before the great scientific endeavors the twentieth century
the new corporate laboratory had earn its keep and justify
its existence cost-conscious world." R&D became the tool corporate policy
in the United States and was directed more management
strategies than scientific considerations.1-28
op
technological goals.
The expense research had justified, and this
could only done showing results." The basic scientific work, he
decided, was best carried out institutions like MIT. Hammond Haynes, the director, had begun
projects examine the fundamental science telephone
transmission his laboratory. many cases the
management turned out have conservative attitude R&D
