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Cover image of The Papers of Thomas A. Edison
Cover image of The Papers of Thomas A. Edison
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The Papers of Thomas A. Edison

Losses and Loyalties, April 1883–December 1884

Thomas A. Edison
edited by Paul B. Israel, Louis Carlat, Theresa M. Collins, and David Hochfelder

Volume
Volume 7
Publication Date
Binding Type

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.

Reviews

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.

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.

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

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

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

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About

Book Details

Publication Date
Status
Available
Trim Size
7
x
10
Pages
864
ISBN
9781421400907
Illustration Description
140 halftones, 32 line drawings
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

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

Author Bios
Featured Contributor

Paul B. Israel, Ph.D.

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

Louis Carlat

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

Theresa M. Collins

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

David Hochfelder

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