His deafness did not
interfere with the management the experimental team, for
written communication proved adequate. The rubber project shows that time had
not altered Edison's approach innovation and his inventive
style.XIV- 5
The rubber project not only involved finding source rubber
but also encompassed the development economical
production process. worked with small team experimenters and brought
in chemists and botanists when needed.
In 1929 acknowledged that can't get mind off rubber
. His staff were directed steady flow written
notes. Two varieties, solidago
rugosa and solidago leavenworthii, were singled out for
intensive cultivation and crossbreeding.
After exhaustive testing, the goldenrod plant was found
to offer the most rubber content. Edison was totally absorbed, some
might even say obsessed, with the work. worked rubber extracting machine extract the
sap from his specimens. Edison spent all his
time this project, studying botany the house Fort
Myers along with his family, examining specimens the special
lab built across the street, directing small staff of
chemists and botanists the crossbreeding program, and
examining the progress the goldenrod plants the gardens. Even the men the
field were instructed keep constant contact with the West
7
Orange laboratory mail. Edison was again his element; had
considerable experience chemical engineering and the First
World War illustrated how quickly could set chemical
plants
