The Papers of Thomas A. Edison: Losses and Loyalties, April 1883-December 1884

by Thomas A. Edison, Paul B. Israel (Editor), Louis Carlat (Editor), Theresa M. Collins (Editor), David Hochfelder (Editor)

Overview

Seeking to replicate the success of his New York electric central station throughout the United States and in Europe and Latin America, Thomas A. Edison vowed to become a "business man for a year." This bold decision began a remarkable transition period for America's greatest inventive thinker. The seventh volume of Edison's papers chronicles the profound changes in his professional and personal life, including the unexpected death of his wife. It concludes with Edison returning to the laboratory to develop new communications technology.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781421400907
Publisher:	Johns Hopkins University Press
Publication date:	09/01/2011
Series:	The Papers of Thomas A. Edison , #7
Pages:	864
Product dimensions:	7.40(w) x 10.10(h) x 2.50(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Paul B. Israel is director and editor of the Thomas A. Edison Papers Project at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.

Louis Carlat is an associate editor of the Thomas A. Edison Papers Project at Rutgers University.

Theresa M. Collins is an associate editor of the Thomas A. Edison Papers Project at Rutgers University.

David Hochfelder is an associate professor of history at University at Albany, SUNY.

Table of Contents

Calendar of Documents
List of Editorial Headnotes
Preface
Chronology of Thomas A. Edison, April 1883– December 1884
Editorial Policy and User's Guide
Editorial Symbols
List of Abbreviations
1. April– June 1883 (Docs. 2418– 2476)
2. July– September 1883 (Docs. 2477– 2531)
3. October– December 1883 (Docs. 2532– 2578)
4. January– March 1884 (Docs. 2579– 2638)
5. April– June 1884 (Docs. 2639– 2691)
6. July– September 1884 (Docs. 2692– 2737)
7. October– December 1884 (Docs. 2738– 2769)
Appendix 1: Edison's Autobiographical Notes
Appendix 2: Edison Village Plants
Appendix 3: Specifications of Dynamos Produced at the Edison Machine Works, April 1883– December 1884
Appendix 4: Edison's Patents, April 1883– December 1884
Bibliography
Credits
Index

Editorial Reviews

In its superabundance of detail — steely facts and figures, great plates of text riveted with nouns and graffitied with cryptic drawings (Edison was an untrained but natural draftsman) — the book has the same kind of physical impact as that which stuns you when you enter his laboratory in West Orange, N.J.
—Edmund Morris, New York Times Book Review

A mine of material . . . Scrupulously edited . . . No one could ask for more . . . A choplicking feast for future Edison biographers—well into the next century, and perhaps beyond.
—Washington Post

What is most extraordinary about the collection isn't necessarily what it reveals about Edison's inventions . . . It's the insight into the process.
—Associated Press

Those interested in America's technological culture can eagerly look forward to the appearance of each volume of the Edison Papers.
—Technology and Culture

His lucidity comes through everywhere . . . His writing and drawing come together as a single, vigorous thought process.
—New York Times

A triumph of the bookmaker's art, with splendidly arranged illustrations, essential background information, and cautionary reminders of the common sources on which Edison's imagination drew.
—New York Review of Books

In the pages of this volume Edison the man, his work, and his times come alive . . . A delight to browse through or to read carefully.
—Science

Beyond its status as the resource for Edison studies, providing a near inexhaustible supply of scholarly fodder, this series . . . will surely become a model for such projects in the future . . . The sheer diversity of material offered here refreshingly transcends any exclusive restriction to Edisonia.
—British Journal for the History of Science

From the Publisher

Those interested in America's technological culture can eagerly look forward to the appearance of each volume of the Edison Papers.

Technology and Culture

His lucidity comes through everywhere . . . His writing and drawing come together as a single, vigorous thought process.

New York Times

A mine of material . . . Scrupulously edited . . . No one could ask for more . . . A choplicking feast for future Edison biographers—well into the next century, and perhaps beyond.

Washington Post

A triumph of the bookmaker's art, with splendidly arranged illustrations, essential background information, and cautionary reminders of the common sources on which Edison's imagination drew.

New York Review of Books

What is most extraordinary about the collection isn't necessarily what it reveals about Edison's inventions . . . It's the insight into the process.

Associated Press

Beyond its status as the resource for Edison studies, providing a near inexhaustible supply of scholarly fodder, this series . . . will surely become a model for such projects in the future . . . The sheer diversity of material offered here refreshingly transcends any exclusive restriction to Edisonia.

British Journal for the History of Science

In its superabundance of detail — steely facts and figures, great plates of text riveted with nouns and graffitied with cryptic drawings (Edison was an untrained but natural draftsman) — the book has the same kind of physical impact as that which stuns you when you enter his laboratory in West Orange, N.J.

New York Times Book Review - Edmund Morris

In the pages of this volume Edison the man, his work, and his times come alive . . . A delight to browse through or to read carefully.

Science

"In the pages of this volume Edison the man, his work, and his times come alive... A delight to browse through or to read carefully."

Science

"A mine of material... Scrupulously edited... No one could ask for more... A choplicking feast for future Edison biographers—well into the next century, and perhaps beyond."

Washington Post

"What is most extraordinary about the collection isn't necessarily what it reveals about Edison's inventions... It's the insight into the process."

Associated Press Staff

In its superabundance of detail — steely facts and figures, great plates of text riveted with nouns and graffitied with cryptic drawings (Edison was an untrained but natural draftsman) — the book has the same kind of physical impact as that which stuns you when you enter his laboratory in West Orange, N.J.

— Edmund Morris

New York Times Book Review