[LB030372], Letter from Thomas Alva Edison to Pacific Phonograph Co, Louis Glass, June 14th, 1889
https://edisondigital.rutgers.edu/document/LB030372
PDF: Archive.org
CSV: Metadata
Metadata
- Title
- [LB030372], Letter from Thomas Alva Edison to Pacific Phonograph Co, Louis Glass, June 14th, 1889
- Editor's Notes
- "I have received your letter of [unclear] instant. I am aware that the battery sent out with the first phonographs is imperfect. I knew this when it was sent out, but the North American Phonograph Co. brought such great pressure to bear upon us that we were obligated to send out the phonograph, and as my new battery was not perfected at that time, I had to use the temporary cells which are now in your hands. I have a new battery, which will be made in various sizes, proportiante to the life required, the maximum being six months. The smallest size will run the phonograph four hours per day for a month, and by adding fresh water at the end of that time, it will run for a month longer. We are doing everything that it is [possible to get these batteries out at the earliest possible moment, and we have a very lively appreciation of [the difficulties? Of your [company?] and other companies u ing motor machines ## You have misunderstood me in regard to dynamo circuit. My suggestion is, in this connection, that you get the Telephone Co. to run your wires for you, arrange these yourselves, and establish phonograph circuits <putting 50 phonos on a circuit.> At some convenient place you can use a small dynamo, driven by a gas engine, or by steam power if you prefer, and supply these circuits with current. You could doubtless get a small dynamo and an engine in San Francisco. The cost of thse will be very slight, and it would not cost much to run the wires mentioned above. I suggest a gas engine, because a boy could attend to it, which might not be the case if you used steaam power. ## I do not disparage the use of treadle machines. My opinion is, that when the new battery is sent out, the motor machines will be used almost exclusively, and I told you to go light on treadles for this reason. ## You are, of course, at liberty to order any kind of machines you please, and that class which you find best addapted to the requirements of your customers is the kind which you should order. ## I am very much taken with the idea of a dynamo circuit, and would like to see you wire up and put a line in operation. The satisfaction which your customers would derive from such a system, and the increase of business which I am sure it would bring you, would more than [reimburse?] you for the trifling expense necessary to install the plant. The Pacific Coast is noted for the advanced ideas of its inhabitants and for the vigorous manner [in which they?] develop a useful novelty, and when I opened your letter under reply, I expected to find that you had already acted upon my suggestion in regard to a dynamo circuit, and had forwarded me a report expressing your satisfaction as to its operation." Yours very truly, [signed] TAE
- Author
- Edison, Thomas Alva
- Mentioned
- North American Phonograph Co
- Date
- 1889-06-14
- Type
- Letter
- Folder ID
- LB030-F
- Microfilm ID
- 139:353
- Document ID
- LB030372
- Publisher
- Thomas A. Edison Papers, School of Arts and Sciences, Rutgers University
- Has Version
- Archive.org Viewer, Microfilm Series Reel 139
- Item sets
- [LB030-F] LB-030 (May-June 1889)