THOMAS A. EDISON - CORPORATE MINUTES SIGNED 06/12/1926 CO-SIGNED BY: GOVERNOR CHARLES EDISON, HARRY F. MILLER, JOHN V. MILLER, G. E. STRINGFELLOW, FRED W. ROH, HENRY LANAHAN, WILLIAM HENRY MEADOWCROFT, C. S. WILLIAMS JR. - HFSID 29975

AUTHORIZNG THE EDISION STORAGE BATTERY COMPANY TO PURCHASE 18,000 LBS. OF LITHIUM HYDRATE
 
THOMAS A. EDISON and OTHERS. Typed DS: "Thos A Edison", "Charles Edison" as Chairman of the Board, "Henry Lanahan", "H F Miller", "J V Miller", "Wm H Meadowcroft", "C.S. Williams Jr" as Vice President in charge of Purchases, "G E Stringfellow" as Vice President and General Manager, "Fred W. Roh" as Assistant Secretary and initialed "H.E." by H.H. Eckert as Secretary, 2p, 8x11 (front and verso). Pages numbered 81 and 82. West Orange, New Jersey, 1926 June 12. "MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF EDISON STORAGE BATTERY COMPANY". Two resolutions adopted related to signing and countersigning of company checks in the Cashier Account in the Continental and Commercial National Bank of Chicago "owing to change being made in Cashiers at the Chicago Office". A third resolution passed authorized the purchase of 18,000 lbs. of Lithium Hydrate from the Maywood Chemical Works, Maywood, New Jersey. In 1926, Thomas Edison stepped down as President of Thomas A. Edison, Inc., which had been incorporated in 1911 as an "umbrella" organization for Edison's many companies, to become Chairman of the Board. His second son, CHARLES EDISON, who had served as Chairman of the Board for a number of Edison companies, took over the presidency. Charles later served as FDR's Secretary of the Navy and Governor of New Jersey. Thomas A. Edison had incorporated the Edison Storage Battery Company in May 1901, successfully conducting tests of electric vehicles equipped with his storage battery the following year. In 1903, Edison initiated production of his "E" type alkaline storage battery, but suspended manufacture of the battery in 1904 to investigate the loss of electrical capacity and leaking cans. In 1905, he began experimenting with perforated tubes holding nickel flake as a positive electrode for his batteries and sought information regarding sources of cobalt ore for possible use in the batteries (Edison dropped idea of using cobalt in 1907). In 1908, Edison took control of the Lansden Company, a manufacturer of electric vehicles using Edison storage batteries. The following year, the prolific inventor began production of his new "A" type alkaline storage batteries. In 1910, Edison's storage batteries figured prominently in several technological advances: the first streetcar powered by an Edison storage battery began operation in New York City, Edison was asked to develop storage batteries for use in submarines (he would later deny that a 1916 explosion on an E-2 submarine resulted from the use of his batteries) and two electrical vehicles powered by Edison batteries set off on a promotional tour from New York City to the summit of Mt. Washington in New Hampshire. HARRY F. MILLER (1860-1950) began his association with the Edison laboratory in 1888, becoming Edison's private secretary (1908-1910). He was also assistant treasurer for the Edison Phonograph Works, the National Phonograph Company, the Edison Manufacturing Company and the Bates Manufacturing Company and became Treasurer of Thomas A Edison Inc. in 1916, serving until his retirement in 1937. Paper slightly rippled on left side of first page and right side of verso. Overall, fine condition.