This scrapbook covers the period August 1878-February 1881. There are also a few clippings from May 1881. Most of the material relates to the development of the Edison electric light system. Included are clippings about Edison's search for platinum for filaments, his work on dynamos, comparisons between electric and gas lighting systems, and Edison's success with the electric light during the fall of 1879. Other clippings pertain to electric light demonstrations at Menlo Park, to the formation of the Edison Electric Light Co., and to patent litigation involving the electric light. There is also material about electric railways and about the controversy between Edison and David E. Hughes over the carbon telephone. A few clippings concern the phonograph, the tasimeter, and other Edison inventions. The spine is stamped "Scraps 2 C. Batchelor" and is labeled "1878-1881" and "868-1621". The book contains approximately 600 unnumbered pages. The items are individually numbered 868-1605.