This is the second of two notebooks used by Upton in November and December 1878 to conduct a literature search for the Edison Electric Light Co. Upton searched through patents and journal articles for information about arc and incandescent lamps. The pages at the beginning of the book contain a chronological account of attempts to devise electric lights. Near the end of the book are a few notes from patents and journal articles concerning carbon lamps. The front cover is labeled "H," and the first page is inscribed "History." The back cover is labeled "M," and the last page is inscribed "Materials for Carbons Outline for History." The book was used in both directions. The pages in the front of the book are numbered 1-92; there are also 13 unnumbered pages. The pages in the back of the book are numbered 1-20.

Blank pages: 25-28, 32-33, 35-38, 44, 46, 50, 56, 83, 88 [front]; 12, 18-20 [back].