Charles Deshler 4454 Order Mark

Historic Edison Collection

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Lamp 7 and the Order Mark - The testimony below is from "Edison Electric Light Company vs. United States Electric Light Company," Circuit Court of the United States, Southern District of New York. The testimony is that of Charles Deshler, who was in charge of the Lamp Testing Department at the Edison Laboratory when the Tar-putty lamps made by John W. Howell were tested. On July 12, 1890, Charles Deshler was asked questions by Richard N. Dyer, Esq. (attorney for Edison) about the tests. Deshler's testimony provides several interesting facts about the Tar-putty lamps, especially Lamp 7. The testimony indicates that the numbers "2" and "4454" found hand written on the large paper label located near the base of the lamp are the number assigned to the lamp related to the trial exhibits. The number 2 is the trial and test exhibit number and 4454 is the "Order Mark" used in the Edison laboratory to specify work done by Charles Deshler. His testimony also reveals that he tested Lamp 7 (2) before the trial for 600 3/4 hours (just over 25 days).

The image below is from the Edison Infringement Trial Transcript

(Volume V, pg. 3505)

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