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