This folder contains documents relating to alkaline storage batteries and to the business of the Edison Storage Battery Co. (ESBCo), particularly the use of Edison batteries by the U.S. government in submarines, floating cranes, and railway cars. Some of the items for 1918 pertain to damage suits brought against ESBCo as the result of an explosion on a Navy E-2 submarine in 1916. Also included is an eight-page communication from Charles Edison, detailing Miller Reese Hutchison's self-serving business practices in relation to government contracts and the damage his behavior had done to Edison's interests. The exhibits mentioned in this communication, as well as a draft of the communication itself, can be found in the Edison Storage Battery Company Records, Thomas A. Edison Papers: A Selective Microfilm Edition, Part IV (1899-1910), reel 213, frames 323-369.
In addition, there is a thirteen-page report comparing Edison's Army Navy alkaline battery with the lead-acid battery, which concludes that the Edison battery is far superior for "the serious business of war."The correspondents include consulting engineer Lamar Lyndon, whom Edison hired to investigate the E-2 situation and defend his position; Rear Admiral George E. Burd of the Brooklyn Navy Yard; longtime associate Henry C. Demming; and banker Frederick J. Lisman.
Approximately 50 percent of the documents have been selected. The unselected materials include routine business documents relating to expenses, payments, and books; test reports; printed lists; duplicates; and unsolicited correspondence receiving no substantive reply.
Additional documents relating to the business of ESBCo can be found in E-18-10 (Battery, Storage -- Edison Storage Battery Co.).
[E1809AA], Report from Edison Storage Battery Co, February 1st, 1918 1918-02-01