The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

In 1956, Max McGraw wrote to Charles Edison, son of Thomas Alva Edison, former Governor of New Jersey and Secretary of the Navy, proposing that they meet to discuss the possibility of merging McGraw Electric Company and Thomas A. Edison, Incorporated. The proposal met with agreement and shortly thereafter the two met at the Broadmoor Hotel, Colorado Springs, Colorado. An agreement was reached in just a few days, when Max McGraw named the dollar figure which Charles Edison thought appropriate. With the approval of shareholders, the consolidation became effective in January, 1957. On consummation of the merger, McGraw Electric Company became McGraw-Edison Company, acquiring the famous Edison Laboratories in West Orange, New Jersey, several manufacturing divisions and additional subsidiaries. Charles Edison continued his career as chairman of the board of directors of the combined operation until his retirement in 1960.

I guess my question here is: Was TAE's lab "mothballed" or was the lab/plant kept in operation and/or turned over immediately to the National Park Service in 1957? I have asked this question several times when visiting the West Orange historic site but the park personnel seem to be only "scripted" and most didn't even know who Max McGraw was. Very curious if the lab and plant continued to operate and manufacture what things ??

Hi,
Can you put names to the people in the photo.? Thank you for asking the questions I would like to know the answers also.
Allen

Charles Edison, Thomas Edison’s son, former secretary of the Navy and Governor of New Jersey, shown with Max during the discussion that led to the formation of McGraw-Edison Company through the merger of McGraw Electric Company and Thomas A. Edison Industries, Inc. Paul J. Christiansen, president of Edison Industries is the third individual in the photograph.

Hi,
Thank you most kindly. I presume the first two names go respectively with the person on the left and right and the last name refers to the person in the back.
Allen

Yes, Charles Edison on the left & Max McGraw on the right of him......

I'm talking off the top of my head here, but I seem to recall reading that the National Park service was granted the
control of the lab about 1955-56. But before that it was maintained by T.A. Edison Inc.as a sort of private historic site. The Library especially was kept " as is" or" as was." For example, Edison's desk was locked at his death. And opened some years later as sort o media event. I know there were employees working essentially as curators even before. W W II.
Jim.