[LB062225], Letter from Thomas Alva Edison to Edison United Phonograph Co, George N Morison, January 30th, 1896
https://edisondigital.rutgers.edu/document/LB062225
Transcription
Jan. 30th., 1896. G. N. Morison, Esq., Secretary Edison United Phonograph Co., Mills Building, N. Y., Dear Sir:- I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 21st. inst, with regard to the formula for the making of wax for the cylinders, and enclosing copies of letters by the Edison Bell Company and by the Works with regard to the same matter. I shall be pleased to give you formula which I have personally used in the manufacture of wax to the English Company, if desired, although I should expect them to take the necessary precautions to keep the composition a secret. As a matter of fact I have not bothered myself by the preparation of this wax for the last two years, as I have had my hands full of other business. The entire preparation of the wax composition was turned over to a man who manufactures it for the Works, and whatever improvements he has made therein are entirely his own secret. I ought further to state that I had considerable trouble with the wax that I manufactured, on account of its gritiness, and most likely the Edison Bell Company would have considerable difficulty and be at a considerable expense in making the necessary tests and experiments to eliminate these bad qualities. Whatever improvement there is in the manufacture of this wax I have had no hand in, but it is due entirely to the man about whom I have spoken, and perhaps the English Company might prefer under the circumstances to purchase the wax composition, as manufactured by this man, and make their own cylinders with the machinery and in accordance with the information which the Manager of the Edison Phonograph Works would cheerfully furnish them. I make this suggestion merely because it seems to me to be the quickest and simplest way out of the difficulty, although, as I have said, I am perfectly willing to reveal any knowledge I may have on the subject. Yours very truly, Thomas A Edison Enc. A.