Items

[LB078-F] Letterbook, LB-078 (1908-1909)

General Letterbook Series

Title: [LB078-F] Letterbook, LB-078 (1908-1909)
Description: This letterbook covers the period September 1908-January 1909. Most of the correspondence is by Edison, Harry F. Miller, and George A. Meister. Many of the letters pertain to Edison's accounts with the Edison Portland Cement Co. and J. P. Morgan & Co. There is also correspondence regarding further improvements in Edison's alkaline storage battery; continuing production difficulties at the ore concentration operations in the Dunderland region of Norway; and the manufacture of batteries by Sigmund Bergmann in Berlin, Germany. Several letters detail ongoing progress in the design of molds and patterns to be used in the construction of concrete houses, including a letter to Charles J. Schmelzer in which Edison describes his plan "to build beautiful houses at such a low cost that the man who works in the ditch can afford to pay the rent." In addition, there are letters concerning the production of a railway vehicle powered by Edison storage batteries; the proposed use of Edison's cement on Pennsylvania state highways and its actual performance in several construction projects in New York City; and a request from Edison to Colonel George W. Goethals, chairman and chief engineer of the Panama Canal, to test twelve waterproof cement bags. Among the items relating to family and personal matters are letters pertaining to Edison's health and diet; his membership in clubs and societies; his charitable donations; and the upkeep of his winter home at Fort Myers, Florida. Also included are letters regarding Edison's recollections of his experiments with etheric force and the invention of the phonograph; his opinion of talking films; his suggestion for a treatment of gout; and a visit to the laboratory by Lord Northcliffe. There is also one letter to a school principal in which Edison discusses the function of "Broca cells" in the human brain and their effect on the human personality.
The label on the front cover contains the following notation: "Thos. A. Edison, Personal Letter Book, From- Sept 19th, 1908, To January 15th, 1909." There is an inscription on the spine with similar information. The book contains 701 numbered pages and an index. Approximately 15 percent of the book has been selected.
URL: https://edisondigital.rutgers.edu/folder/LB078-F
Identifier: LB078-F
Type: General Letterbook
Rights: Courtesy of Thomas Edison National Historical Park.
Is Part Of: General Letterbook Series
Alternative Title: Letterbook, LB-078 (1908-1909)
Has Version: Archive.org Viewer, Microfilm Series Reel 197

Advanced search