that came while financial
reserves were low— the worst possible time. Many other
companies would have kept this product the market while
improving their laboratories. Harry Miller expressed this sentiment perfectly: "If
it wasn't far superior other batteries," told a
29
prospective customer "we would't make them. This lay behind his
opposition alternating current and his devotion low
voltage electric traction. But Edison was adamant: "We
have get right" insisted, and only then was be
sold.
It was the job the West Orange laboratory maintain
Edison's standards. Every Edison product had meet the high standards of
its maker. The recall his first attempt was
an expensive business for TAE Inc.
The solid reputation quality goods was great asset
in the long run, even though short-term profits often had be
sacrificed meet Edison's demanding standards. His policy was simple: "The Edison product
must the highest quality. The laboratory's work in
testing, production engineering, and new product development
was the key maintain Edison's standards. The product
engineers were instructed maintain Edison's basic policy of
QUALITY FIRST: "It you uphold his standard of
. The storage
battery case point." was hammered home in
countless memoranda and meetings." The Edison name
stood for quality.XIV-15
loss public confidence the salutary effects new
technology would hurt his businesses
