This
system was designed work with all Edison's muckers, who had
different skills and experiences: the written list provided the
basic work plan, but was constantly being changed and
supplemented through Edison's personal contact with his
workers.. All the
workers West Orange knew that the "old man" could assign
three weeks work three minutes! many cases his
personal instructions would supplemented with written
document (sometimes scrap paper and sometimes a
notebook) which listed experiments carried out. The chief experimenter ran the
group with the minimum interference from Edison. often divided experimental
project into chemical, electrical, and mechanical problems and
alloted specialist each. The
machinists, who could called from the machine shops,
would divide their time between experimental groups, moving
from team team required. gave each experimenter brief
overview the problem and some broad instructions..have every patent sent
Q
to them and let them experiment continuously.
Edison usually gave task experimenter and
provided him with assistant, while the laboratory supplied
the logistical support and information the job. shows his reliance
.III-10
teams men each part." This a
succinct summation the Edison method. told
Bergmann: "the way organize gang one good
experimenter and two three assistants, appropriate a
definite sum yearly keep going
