When Charles Kettering and experimental team GM's
research laboratory undertook this task, took several years
and false-trails before commercial technology was developed. The management the Edison enterprise were looking
for some new products replace the earnings lost the
declining phonograph business. And they needed them hurry.^
This sad story was repeated with the other new product
line TAE Inc.
The lab was put work designing electric coffee makers,
waffle irons, and toasters.
Thomas Edison Junior returned the West Orange lab to
. The decision manufacture electrical
appliances for the kitchen was made the management who then
earmarked fixed amount for R&D work.
TAE Inc. Theodore Edison again
carried out much the research and development.
The project began GM's lab 1920 and continued throughout
the decade. had neither the time nor resources mount such
a venture. and Pont finally pooled their technical
talent into joint operation produce new system of
17
refrigeration based freon. These were simple products that
could easily manufactured the Phonograph Works. 1926 the
Board Directors appropriated $20,000 investigate
16
electrical refrigeration.XIV- 9
"old man" had been right about the dangers getting into the
radio business, but never said told you so" his
sons. But this was insufficient for an
adequate R&D program that might end commercial product
