This folder contains correspondence and other documents concerning Edison's views about World War I and war-related matters. Included are remarks by Edison about compulsory military education, a national East Coast highway, the use of chemical weapons and searchlights, and his attitude toward the French, whom he characterized as "one of the finest people who dwell on Earth." Among the correspondents are Charles G. Curtis of the International Curtis Marine Turbine Co., mineralogist George F. Kunz, and Edison's brother-in-law William W. Nichols. There is also a letter from Col. Charles H. Sherrill, grand marshal of the Citizens Preparedness Parade, thanking Edison for his participation in the march, which took place in New York City on May 13, 1916. Other organizations represented in the documents include the Aircraft Defense League, the National Security League, and the Universal Military Training League.
Approximately 15 percent of the documents have been selected. The unselected items include specific inquiries that Edison declined to comment upon or referred elsewhere, as well as those of a more general nature, many from students, that received either no answer or a form letter stating that Edison was too busy to reply. Also unselected are numerous theories, essays, plans, poems, and printed documents submitted to Edison on themes related to war and military preparedness.
[E1681AA], Letter from George Frederick Kunz to Thomas Alva Edison, January 3rd, 1916 1916-01-03