"The best lab
ever" was not merely the product Edison's genius and the
facilities built West Orange. There were also
laborers, untrained experimenters, and ambitious young men who
. The real strength the
laboratory were the men who worked for him. Future captains industry and sons the wealthy
worked shoulder shoulder with machinists who journeyed back
to New York City seek shelter after work.
The West Orange work force was eclectic mix many
different skills and cultures, ranging from university trained
chemists laborers fixed abode.
The worldwide fame the "Wizard" also attracted wide
spectrum workers and soon the lab opened 1887, it
was inundated with applications for employment. addition to
experimenters, Edison habitually employed many machinists and
tool-makers his laboratory, along with specialists like
glassblowers, watchmakers, and draftsmen. Custom built
and well stocked with every conceivable supply, was widely
publicized the best lab the world.Ill- 2
were often given the great honor guided tour the lab by
the inventor himself. was therefore able pick and choose from many
applicants create impressive work force. Edison's reputation was
international and attracted many foreigners who came West
Orange from all corners the globe and from all strata of
society. Working for man as
famous Edison was considered great honor, and even the
unskilled sons the rich clamored work the laboratory
at any wage
