XIV-10
work developing the line consumer durables.'s careful drawings of
toaster filaments and heater elements bear signature that is
quite similar that his famous father. The
marketing strategy was again aimed the most affluent
households and subsequently free-lance designer was hired to
give these products distinctive look. The toaster was
described resembling beautiful metal book" and even the
." The experiments the new Edisons
have none the ambition and scope the "old man;" these
drawings provide symbolic commentary the new role the
West Orange laboratory. His notes tell us
something the daily work experimenters the lab the
late 1920s. Appearance had become important consideration the
phonograph business and took greater importance the new
consumer durable line. The son of
Edison's first wife, Mary Stillwell, Tom Jr. The engineering effort was conditioned
I Q
by the goal "improve the appearance the products. carried out endurance tests all the
electrical components the toaster and continuously monitored
repeated toasting all kinds bread, "this test be
conducted someone unacquainted with such devices-who will
represent the public. was long road from the
incandescent bulb the electric toaster, and the only truly
innovative part the Edicraft range appliances was their
design. Tom Jr. had achieved
little troubled life which was littered with failed
businesses and health problems. Edison allowed him come back
to the laboratory the 1920s
