Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1878-04-09
boned with a gimlet, was usually the
base or foundation of this experimental

bOned with q glmlet, was usually tn
base or foundation of this experiments
apparatus.
I have always believed that, had Edi
son received a little encouragement a
this time, from the telegraph company
they would have enjoyed the benefits O
the duplex and quadruplex for five t
eight years earlier than they did. Edi
sons early knowledge of electricity wa
largely acquired from books in the Me
chanics' Library. which was then situa
ted at Sixth and Vine. Mr.. johnson
the present Chief Operator of the Yves
tern Union, and in those days the AS
sistant Chief, says that many time
Edison would get excused from duty
under pretense of being too sick t,
work, and various other excuses, and in
variablystrike a bee line for the Library
where'he would spend the entire day ant
evening in reading De La Rue's or No
ads Manual, and such other works or
electricity as were to be had.
He left here in 1868 or 1869, going t(
Boston, where chatted with him occa
sionally over the wire, nearly always
concerning some new invention he haG
brought out. He never seemed to bt
appreciated until he went to New York
where he had been but short time
when he was employed by the Gold In.
dicator Company as Inspector and So
licitor. He did not remain long in that
capacity. Their apparatus at that time
was in crude state and susceptible o1
great improvement. The old apparatus
in a short time was entirely superseded
by his improvements, and nearly the
whole system of gold and stock appara-
tus to-day is the invention of Edison.
These inventions were rapidly follow
ed by the district and domestic telegraph
system typs-writers, universal printer
for private lines; the automatic rapid
system by which column of news mat
ter can be transmitted over one wire in
a minute; the duplex the quadruplex
the sextuplex; the electric pentelephone;
phonograph, aireophone, and upward OF
one hundred and fifty minor patents.
The quadruplex, one of the most vals
liable of his inventions, has come into
general use on the Western Union lines,
and it is worth millions to them. But
owing to bad management, or to too
much hast in disposing of it,. it has got
out of his control, he having received
only thirty-five thousand dollars for it.
He has adopted the plan Of putting all
of his inventions out to responsible
companies to be manufactured on a roy.
atty. Some idea can be formed of his
income when state that his royalty on
the electric pen alone is from five to six
thousand dollars per annum.
Until three years ago he carried on an
extensive manufacturing concern in
Newark, N. J. At times he has en-
ployed three hundred hands in the man
ufacture of telegraph and electrical sup
plies. Finding that the business occu-
pied too much of his time, he decided to
devote his entire time to his laboratory
and inventions.
In order that he might work undis-
turbed, it was'thought advisable to move
into the country. Perth Amboy was at
first selected but he decided more Sc
cluded spot was desirable, and selected
Menlo Park, which contains about
twenty-five inhabitants, as the most
suitable place, and on the top of hill,
remote from all other buildings or dwell
ings, his laboratory now stands. sue
ceeded to his manufacturing business,
which was also moved to Menlo Park
but occupied separate building, one
half mile away from the laboratory.
He has in his laboratory all the known
chemicals and minerals, and collec.
ton of apparatus, instruments of precis-
ion, models and machinery, together
with complete library, which cost him
upwards of hundred thousand dol
lars.
He proposed to have, and I presume
has had constructed fire-proof vaults for
keeping his papers and records. A dali
ly record of all experiments is kept,
which is dated and signed by himself
and assistants at the close of each days
work. He has five assistants among
whom is Mr.. Charles Bachelor, very
skilful mechanic, who was sent to this
country from England to superintend
the setting up and adjusting of the au-
tomato thread machinery for the Clark
Thread Works; also two Swiss, very
skillful workmen.
The article which appeared in the
New York San concerning his first ap-
pearaDce in Boston believe to be great
ly, exaggerated, in respect, at least, to
his personal appearace.
I was personally acquainted with his
family, and know that they were in
good circumstances. His mother, who
is now dead, was an educated and &C
complished lady, and would hardly al
low him to start off for Boston, dressed
as described. He was, and is yet, very
careless in regard to his appearance, his
clothes and hands being usually stained
with chemicals but he is never dirty or
ragged, as stated by the Bostonian,
I read in to-day's Commercial that the
English Government have offered him
EGG, 900 for his saireophoneif he performs
what is claimed for it.
He has an elegant home, handsome
wife and two interesting little children
He is not cranky, long-haired inven-
Ftor. but all of his productions are the
result of hard work. 1 think all will
agree that the boy who few yeare age
was working circuit in the Western
Union Telegraph Office has done pretty
well.
I have written Edison, asking per.
mission to make and exhibit his most
recent invention, the photography, OF
speaklng-machine, and expect to exhibit
it at the next meeting of the Electrical
Society, about the 5th April.