11-18
innovation for snow sweeping, for example, was device which
used electricity melt snow. For example, Edison saw enormous potential an
improved storage battery take the place the lead acid
cells then use. tried interest
capitalists the development mechanical cotton picker to
do for cotton what the combined harvester was doing cereal
production. amounted one million
dollars and expected that sales would triple "if good battery
could obtained.
The lists planned projects indicate that the beginning
point many Edison's experimental campaigns was close
study the market. His confidence his abilities as
a machine builder was unbounded. Edison knew the electrochemical technology
well and also knew the market. the field electricity, thought could
produce electrically driven tricycle and wide range of
electrically powered tools.S."^®
. estimated that the annual
sales storage batteries the U. many cases Edison saw new
products that could easily spun off from existing
technology. looked for products that had great
market appeal and the potential become items mass
cosumption
