Edison Machine Works
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Electrical manufacturing |
| Founded | 1881 in New York City, United States |
| Founder | Thomas A. Edison, Charles Batchelor |
| Defunct | 1889 |
| Fate | Merged into Edison General Electric |
| Headquarters | New York City (initial), Schenectady, New York (later) , United States |
Key people | Charles Dean (machinist), Charles Batchelor (general manager), John Kruesi (assistant general manager), Samuel Insull (secretary and later overseer of Schenectady plant) |
| Products | Dynamos, electric motors, electrical lighting system parts, power consumption meters |
Number of employees | ~800 (at peak in Manhattan) |
The Edison Machine Works was created during the 1880s in New York City to produce dynamos, sizable electric motors, and parts for the electrical lighting system pioneered by Thomas A. Edison. Its manufacturing facility in Schenectady, New York, eventually joined General Electric in 1892.
History
Around 1880, as the need for equipment to support a large-scale electric illumination "utility" in New York City increased, Thomas Edison’s Menlo Park workshop became insufficient. To meet this demand, Edison leased the former Etna Iron Works located at 104 Goerck Street in Lower Manhattan in 1881 and established the Edison Machine Works. Edison invested 90% of the funds, while investor Charles Batchelor supplied the remaining 10%. Under machinist Charles Dean’s leadership, the workforce expanded to roughly 800 employees.[1] This site manufactured large dynamos for the initial Pearl Street Station alongside various other sizes needed for Edison's electric illumination systems. Incorporated in 1884, its management team included Batchelor as general manager, John Kruesi as assistant general manager, and Samuel Insull serving as secretary.[2] In 1885, the Electric Tube Company and Edison Shafting Manufacturing Company were consolidated into the Edison Machine Works.
Besides manufacturing, the company also focused on designing and testing new equipment and provided training for workers on building wiring and dynamo maintenance. Among its innovations were enhanced dynamo models and more efficient power consumption meters.[1]
The rapidly increasing demand strained the limited space at the Manhattan location; additional lathes had to be set up outdoors on sidewalks with drive belts extending through factory windows.[3] Due to labor challenges and escalating expenses, Edison decided to relocate. In 1886, both the Machine Works and around 200 employees moved to two unfinished factory buildings situated on a 10-acre plot in Schenectady, NY, a site initially planned for McQueen Locomotive Works.[4] The new facility was overseen by Samuel Insull.[3] The Edison Machine Works continued as an independent entity until 1889 when it merged with other Edison electric companies to form Edison General Electric. The Schenectady plant experienced rapid growth and ultimately became General Electric's headquarters after merging with the Thomson-Houston Electric Company from Lynn, Massachusetts in 1892.
Notable employees
- Justus B. Entz - became part of Edison Machine Works in 1887
- Reginald Fessenden - employed at Edison Machine Works in 1886
- Kunihiko Iwadare - joined Edison Machine Works in 1887
- Emil Kolben - started working at Edison Machine Works in 1888
- John W. Lieb - worked at Edison Machine Works beginning in 1881
- Nikola Tesla - employed at Edison Machine Works during 1884
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Cite error: Invalid
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- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Cite error: Invalid
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