History of the Incandescent Lamp

Whilst the greatest effort has been made to ensure the quality of this text, due to the historical nature of this content, in some rare cases there may be minor issues with legibility. Constant experimenting was done to determine the relative advantages Of different ways Of performing the various Operations, and it was a long time before definite methods were settled upon. These methods were frequently changed as more experience was accumulated. Many lamps were burned On life test from the very beginning, to determine the relative value Of the various experiments. This constant experimenting and testing made the work most interesting. During the first year or two, Mr. Edison Spent a good deal Of time at the factory, and had a laboratory there. His presence and leadership Were a great inspiration to all, so that time meant nothing to those Who were helping him to carry out his work or experiments. As the various methods Of manufacture became settled, it became possible to organize the factory Operations and to adopt piece work methods; but it was a long time before any lamp making machinery enabled the substitution Of un skilled labor for the skilled glass workers. It is hard for anyone who sees the modern lamp factory to realize the work done in developing the art to its present degree Of perfection. The lamp is apparently very simple, but its design, manufacture, and development require quite a broad knowl edge Of physics and chemistry. This has attracted many bright-minded men to the industry, who have found it a most interesting field Of work. The growth Of the business, from the invention Of the lamp to the present day, has all taken place during the working lives Of some Of the men still in the business. This history Of the lamp has been written in order to portray the changes and developments which brought it to its present high state Of perfection and efficiency.