The laboratory served repository of
operating experience and new knowledge that was great value
to the individual lighting companies.
The difference between the status independent
laboratory and the faceless corporate R&D department evident
to the naked eye; the West Orange lab imposing, free
standing structure which expressed the status and importance of
Edison's work. Building the main
laboratory building, was the technological nerve center the
Edison lighting industry; housed the impressive library of
technical literature and journals, the blueprints many
central stations built the Edison Central Station
Construction Department, and the technical experts the
Edison system. (Illus 1-5, #7209) the other hand, the
industrial research laboratories the twentieth century are
unimposing structures: wooden shack that housed the GE
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but the brains larger organization. was information
center where operating problems could brought the lab's
experienced staff for solutions. The West Orange laboratory was
also the symbolic center the Edison lighting industry, where
board meetings were held and important decisions made. All
technological issues were automatically referred the
laboratory and one the earliest meetings called the
laboratory, November 1887, was discuss technical report
on the Westinghouse lighting system. Although the
laboratory was the last part Edison's electrical empire to
be constructed, was the most important
