onsequently there was a constant endeavor on Edison's part to
simplify the construction of the machine and its manner of operation.
Experimentation was incessantly going on with this in view, and in the
processes of evolution changes were made here and there that resulted in
a still greater measure of perfection.

In various ways there was a continual slow and steady growth of the
industry thus created, necessitating the erection of many additional
buildings as the years passed by. During part of the last decade there
was a lull, caused mostly from the failure of corporate interests to
carry out their contract relations with Edison, and he was thereby
compelled to resort to legal proceedings, at the end of which he
bought in the outstanding contracts and assumed command of the business
personally.

Being thus freed from many irksome restrictions that had hung heavily
upon him, Edison now proceeded to push the phonograph business under a
broader policy than that which obtained under his previous contractual
relations. With the ever-increasing simplification and efficiency of the
machine and a broadening of its application, the results of this policy
were manifested in a still more rapid growth of the business that
necessitated further additions to the manufacturing plant. And thus
matters went on until the early part of the present decade, when the
factory facilities were becoming so rapidly outgrown as to render
radical changes necessary. It was in these circumstances that Edison's
sagacity and breadth of business capacity came to the front. With
characteristic boldness and foresight he planned the erection of the
series of magnificent concrete buildings that now stand adjacent to
and around the laboratory, and in which the manufacturing plant is at
present housed.

There was no narrowness in his views in designing these buildings, but,
on the contrary, great faith in the future, for his plans included
not only the phonograph industry, but provided also for the coming
development of motion pictures and of the primary and storage battery
enterprises.

In the aggregate there are twelve structures (including the
administration building), of which six are of imposing dimensions,
running from 200 feet long by 50 feet wide to 440 feet in length by
115 feet in width, all these larger buildings, except one, being five
stories in height. They are constructed entirely of reinforced concrete
with Edison cement, including wall