" Ironically, while Edison was being lionized at
the Festival Light 1929, his customers were deserting the
products based his traditional values and aesthetics. normally returned West Orange from
Florida the spring, around March. 1930 was
confined wheelchair but still continued working the
rubber experiments.
The great inventor's last days had been followed the world's
press.
The newsreels taken the Festival Light show that
age and illness had begun take their toll. died
on October 1931. 37
answer indicated that the end was near: "Everything. The fact that had close
down the phonograph operation— humiliating step for the
inventor the talking machine— while being honored the
great innovator, indication the gulf that had arisen
between between the Edison image and reality." Edison
did return the laboratory the summer 1931 and reported
for work several times.XIV-19
36
human life. But 1931 his health was
so poor that his return was delayed until June. was
. Some progress was being made in
producing rubber from goldenrod and was well pleased.
In September Edison was confined his bed and the
family began prepare for the funeral arrangements. President Hoover had asked for daily bulletins. When his staff
asked him what was shipped back New Jersey, one word
. national outpouring grief followed. The
phonograph business shows that was out step with the
consuming public the 1920s. Yet Edison was
still determined keep experimenting
