Part Of: Notebook Series -- Notebooks by Edison

[NA246-F] N-14-04-03.1 (1914)

This notebook was used by Edison during April 1914 and was annotated at least once in 1916. An entry on the first page indicates that the work was done at Edison's laboratory at Fort Myers, Florida. The book consists primarily of 87 numbered entries entitled "Notes on cause of Low % of good disc output." The entries describe ingredients and processes involved in disc record manufacture, identify the potential sources of problems, discuss experiments done by Edison to improve record varnish, and suggest additional experiments to be performed. In entry 58, Edison noted that the problems resulted from variations in the thickness of the blanks and consequent differences in pressure on the transfers at different spots. Following entries 84 and 85 are several pages of notes on separating nickel flake and nickel hydrate recovered from old storage batteries and on a "New Scheme" for the battery. Following entry 86 is a list of eight "things to 1st receive attention" when Edison returned to New Jersey. Near the end of the book is a one-page summary of the results obtained by William Walter Dinwiddie in his experiments on the expansion and contraction of Condensite veneer, along with the notation that the information was "Entered in 1916 Book 3." There are also some calculations regarding wages and general expenses. The notes indicate that Sherwood T. (Sam) Moore and Ludwig (Louis) Ott assisted Edison with the disc experiments. The front cover is labeled "Disc Records. Fort Myers. 1914." The pages are unnumbered. Approximately 60 pages have been used.

Courtesy of Thomas Edison National Historical Park.

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