The Navy offered a
major customer for Edison storage batteries for their submarine
fleet. The continuing conflict Europe greatly
influenced life and work West Orange until 1919. His multinational enterprise was immediately
affected the war. The factories West Orange
were fully involved this 1915. The West
. Edison commented that "I
am that (preparedness) with both feet and hands. would ready.XII- 2
Spanish-American war was world power and needed modern
navy match. patriot and scrapper, was
not going left out any conflict entered into the
U. (See SIDEBAR 12-1: End Edison's Motion Picture
Business) The Allied blockade cut off the supply chemicals
from Germany which his phonograph and storage battery
businesses depended. early 1895 publically announced his intention "to
2
drop everything and serve the country" should there war. After burst profits from the European
market eager see patriotic war films, Edison's overseas
moving picture business disappeared and with important
market.S.
The outbreak war 1914 probably came surprise
to Edison, but unlike many other Americans could not afford
to ignore it. They had also employed Edison motion picture equipment
to film projectiles flight.
Although the United States did not immediately enter the
war, its economic impact was soon felt American industry
took part the policy "preparedness" ensure that war
did come, the U. Edison had objections becoming part of
this process and making money from it.S
