Extraordinary unsigned manuscript notes on experiments involving the manufacture of rubber, written in pencil on eight lightly lined, single-sided 5 x 8 pages, no date [circa late 1920s]. Edison’s research into a domestic substitute for rubber began in earnest in 1927, when he, Henry Ford, and Harvey Firestone founded the Edison Botanic Research Corporation in Fort Myers, Florida. Ford and Firestone, both of whom were close personal friends of Edison, each had a vital economic interest in the success of the venture. American-produced rubber would not only represent a substantial savings for the automobile and tire industries, but would also ensure a steady, uninterrupted supply—a nagging concern ever since World War I, when political unrest in rubber-producing regions around the world greatly impacted the fledgling auto industry. For the next two years, Edison supervised a series of experiments involving more than 17,000 plants, leading to the development of a crossbred variety of goldenrod that yielded 12% latex, the main component of rubber. The present document includes detailed directions and notes for a number of experiments, most of which appear to involve the derivation of experimental procedures and methods in processing the various materials in the laboratory. Some excerpts: “Resin from acetone poured in water to make a latex after evaptg. down to thick milk. Then coagulate with conc. alcohol & soak clot in water to dissolve the serum.... Boil crushed dried stuff with quicklime to combine resins—then dry the mush milk—& exhaust same with chloroform benzol solvent ... which will probably not dissolve resins boil down & clot with conc. alcohol.... Rig up small porcelain ball mill. Grind coffee mill stuff in ball mill with water then empty whole in glass jar to settle & skim off rubber from top.... Try the roaled [sic] green that was at diferent [sic] temps after 1st run in test cells & make MgO strip to test disintegration.... Fused MgO by electric furnace then powdered—will not crush in making slabs of granules all about same size & locked together ... giving enormous porosity.” Two of the sheets appear to outline a self-contained experiment with eight numbered steps and include Edison’s pencil sketch of the apparatus to be used. In part: “Fred Ott [longtime Edison employee] rig up a chopper with 3/64 feed single stem leaves off .... Find a liquid that will not flock the latex but make it collord [sic] if possible. Coagulate by heat almost to a boil & filter or settle draw off almost all & then filter in 1″ high filter papers.... Try all the different ones.... Try small stems of Madagascarenis.” Another sheet contains a list of approximately twenty chemical compounds, likely a table of ingredients or analysis of an experimental result, including compounds of barium, calcium, lead, magnesium, mercury, strontium, and zinc. The manuscript is presented in a deluxe, custom-made 33.5 x 21 framed display that allows removal of the individual pages for examination. Very few of Edison’s experimental notes, particularly those of this length, are known to be in private hands; as a direct link to the work of the man whose inventions revolutionized modern civilization, the rare examples that become available to collectors represent the pinnacle of Edison autograph material. In fine condition, with folds, light even toning, and a few wrinkles and small chips (not affecting writing). The writing is quite clear and distinct, the paper remains supple and sturdy, and the whole presents quite impressively. COA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
We use cookies on this site to improve your experience. By using this site, you accept our use of cookies. To learn more, please see our Privacy Policy.
