Edison commented the "men around me" that "its not
the money they want, but chance for their ambition to
work.
Edison's own life reflected the American belief that hard
work and initiative could take man from rags riches and
the democratic organization his laboratory permitted workers
to rise from being common laborers chief engineer. The West Orange laboratory had complex wage
structure, increases coming with increased skill and
responsibility. 1900 was
in charge engineering there. experimenter moved the ladder could
expect larger rewards and bigger projects. memo written Batchelor 1888, Edison
listed some workers and instructed that their wages be
23
increased because "these are good men. from Wales, took his first
job laborer the West Orange lab 1888. Fred Ott was when joined Edison." Included this list
of fast-rising Edison employees were Fred Ott and Jonas
Aylsworth— two increasingly important figures the operations
of the lab. Fred
Devonald, newly arrived the U." Success meant more responsibilities and bigger
challenges. Some the unruly youths who
haunted the lab went have distinguished careers the
Edison enterprise. Those who pleased
the "old man" were quickly promoted and given more
responsibility.S.Ill- 16
Edison.
. For those
experimenters who could stand the rigorous work schedule and
survive Edison's cajoling, teasing, and practical jokes, work
at West Orange was exciting and rewarding
