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These sixteen notebooks cover mainly the period June 1887-August 1892, although there are entries for as late as February 1902. The books contain primarily notes, but also some drawings and draft correspondence, regarding a variety of administrative matters at the West Orange laboratory. Included is material relating to orders of equipment to outfit the laboratory in 1887, the assignment of sequential account numbers to each experimental project, the use of technical books and journals from Edison's library by various experimenters, inventory and supplies, and labor records. Among the individuals whose work appears in these books are Charles Batchelor, John F. Ott, and Franz Schulze-Berge. Much of the material is by unidentified storekeepers and office personnel. Notebooks that deal mainly with inventory and supplies, labor records, and book and journal orders, along with books that merely duplicate the information in the selected items, have not been selected.

Records not selected

Notebooks, N-87-12-07, N-88-01-07, N-88-01-14

These notebooks cover the period December 1887-January 1888. They were used by several unidentified employees to keep a daily record of tools and other material taken from the laboratory stockroom.

Notebook, N-88-01-27

This notebook covers the period January 1888-February 1902. It was used primarily by John Ott, with scattered entries by William K. L. Dickson, Arthur E. Kennelly, and an unidentified employee. Sequential account numbers, 1-1245, are assigned for each experimental project. The list duplicates the information found in N-87-11-24.

Notebook, N-88-03-15.3

This notebook covers the period March 1888-October 1889. It was used by an unidentified employee as a daily log of shipments made from the laboratory. The log lists a wide range of material shipped, including electrolytic meter solution, phonoplex telegraphy equipment, and various phonograph parts.

Notebook, N-88-07-27

This notebook covers the period July 1889-June 1890. It was used by Franz Schulze-Berge as a record of books and journals ordered, received, returned, and sent out from Edison's library for binding. There are draft letters to publishers and dealers regarding orders. Also included are rough notes from articles pertaining to the "decomposition of hydrocarbons by heat."

Notebook, N-90-00-00

This undated notebook was used by an unidentified employee to list suppliers of scientific and technical apparatus.

Notebook, N-90-01-01.1

This notebook covers the period January-September 1890. It was used by George A. Hofmeyer as a daily log of "Ampers on the night Circuit" for the electrical system serving the laboratory complex, the Edison Phonograph Works, and Llewellyn Park.

Notebook, N-90-02-16

This undated notebook was used by an unidentified employee to list general and technical reference manuals. The manuals are numbered 1-40.

Notebook, N-90-08-07

This notebook covers the period August 1890-June 1891, with later entries from July and August 1892. It was used by Franz Schulze-Berge and other unidentified employees for drafts of letters to publishers and book dealers regarding book orders for the laboratory. There are also scattered notes relating to books received at, and returned from, the laboratory. The book duplicates the information found in N-90-02-15.

Notebooks, N-91-01-14, N-91-05-15

These notebooks cover the period May 1891-February 1893, with scattered entries from 1894, 1896, and 1897. They were used primarily by one employee, probably John F. Hayes, as a record of the time worked each week by various laboratory personnel. The weekly compilations are incomplete, as they do not include every person on the laboratory payroll.