Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1939-04-20

the same year by all the railroads,
automobile, and steel industries
combined; or, considering the total
CT 100000 persons gainfully en-
ployed in all the manufacturing me-
ohanical, and communication indus
tries, one out Of every nine owed
his employment directly to Thomas
Alva Edison.
Similar benefits exist today and
will continue to exist as the founda-
tions he made for advancement and
expansion of industry have built up
on sthem new and great industries
which would not be possible were it
not for this genius and humanitar-
ian whose chief pleasure was to pro-
vide additional means to others Sc
curing happiness, comfort, and
prosperity.
1t was Thomas Alva Edison who
brought about stimulation Of the
basic industry of mining. Through
his inventions, markets for coal, cop
per, lead, nickel, silver, and zinc
were increased For instance, about
one-third of the silver production
today goes into the making of mo-
ton picture film, an industry to
which Edison gave birth. Something
like half of today's copper output
goes into wire, cable, and other uses
in the electrical industry, which Ed
ison brought into being.
l could cite statistics indefinitely
and still not give full measure OF
the enrichment Edison has brought
to everyone's life. Few people asso
ciate this inventive genius with oul
present day convenienceS, such as
vacuum cleaners, automobiles, re
frigerators, and similar home ap
pliances. And yet without the basic
might not have these things today
In fact, as have previously remark
ed, the extent of the daily benefits
we derive from this great Amer
leans inventive prowess are beyond
calculation.
AS pointed out previously, Thorn
as Edison worked not so much il
fthe field of pure science as in the
| application of known scientific fact
In the estimation of those men who
were closely associated with M
Edison and who are now carrying or
in companies which he founded, th'
organized methods by which he ac
complished his great work are more
valuable to society than the inven
tions themselves. The men carrying
on today say that these methods O.
! organized research will continue tt
bring forth new inventions in ever
: increasing quantity and usefulness
i long after those originated by thi
: great American, whom we should
honor, may have grown obsolete
Following his example, American in
dustries now have extensive re
search organizations and laborator
les which are of paramount import
ance to our country, but which be
fore Edison's time were unheard of
Such research organizations pattern
ed after the one established at Men
10 Park by MIR. Edison over 60 year!
ago represent living force for con
tinued progress in the arts ant
sciences that are servicing mankint
| today. In setting such forces in mo
J ton, Edison has made his creates
contribution to civilizat ton
But besides Edison being a grea
contributor to the progress, welfare
and happiness of mankind, thi
!, country had in him a patriot who's
work during the great World war il
alone worthy of perpetuating hi
memory through the declaration o
a national holiday on the aniver
sary of his birth. Not only was hi
work of immediate national import
ance in this crisis but out of it hav
, come industrial benefits which exis
, to this day. The Great War brough
) shortages Of important chemicals
= chief among them carbolic acid, ben
Zol, and SO forth. Edison was equa
to the situation and established il
: an exceedingly short time plants t
manufacture these chemicals an
: others used in American industries