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.
The outbreak war 1914 probably came surprise
to Edison, but unlike many other Americans could not afford
to ignore it. The West
.S.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. They had also employed Edison motion picture equipment
to film projectiles flight. early 1895 publically announced his intention "to
2
drop everything and serve the country" should there war. The Navy offered a
major customer for Edison storage batteries for their submarine
fleet. would ready. Edison commented that "I
am that (preparedness) with both feet and hands. The factories West Orange
were fully involved this 1915. Edison had objections becoming part of
this process and making money from it. (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.S. After burst profits from the European
market eager see patriotic war films, Edison's overseas
moving picture business disappeared and with important
market. His multinational enterprise was immediately
affected the war. The continuing conflict Europe greatly
influenced life and work West Orange until 1919
