Ill- 14
have failed motivate his staff. His high level enthusiasm
was transferred his workers, who would also decline sleep
when project got critical point "and enthusiasm ran
16
high.
."
Edison was very demanding employer who did not shrink
from telling his men that they were lazy, insisting they work
throughout the night. The hours storytelling provided some
distraction from the hours tedious work, yet was the
attractive side personality that could also hostile and
unyielding. liked keep his experimenters under constant
stress, submerging them with work and criticizing their
results. When wanted work done, had done
immediately— "on the jump"— there would trouble. Some of
his employees could not stand his dictatorial nature and biting
tongue, and least one them quit the spot after
enduring his relentless verbal hazing. His success as
an inventor was partly the result his ability get the
maximum effort from his work force, for commented: "The
real measure success the number experiments that can
17
be crowded into twenty-four hours. Some them
suffered nervous breakdowns, others left disgust." Working all night the lab was not unusual; Edison
certainly expected his experimental staff." The muckers were often set impossible goals and
were always working demanding timetable. Working for Edison was
not easy task and once noted that employee's departure
was "due perhaps the conditions here, which are rather
exacting
