John Howell Testimony

Historic Edison Collection

Most Famous Lamps in the World

Famous Edison Lamp Collection DISCOVERED After Century in Darkness

On the morning of July 8, 1890 - John W. Howell made his famous statement, " I hereby produce the lamps" as he offered his "Tar Putty" box of lamps as Exhibit 1. The Tar-putty box was proffered into evidence by Richard N. Dyer, Esq. (attorney for Edison). The Edison Lamp Infringement Trial: "Edison Electric Light Company vs. United States Electric Light Company" Circuit Court of the United States, Southern District of New York.

"I hereby produce the lamps" - Howell's famous statement finally brought this decade long contentious courtroom battle to a victorious conclusion for Edison. The court record transcript of his testimony is found below on page 3460 (middle of left page).

"Complainant's Exhibit (1) Howell's Tar Putty Lamps" - Edison was the Complainant (Plaintiff) in this trial. Reference to the proffering of Howell's famous small wooden box of handmade Tar-putty coiled filament lamps is found below on page 3461 (top of right page)

The two images below are from the Edison Infringement Trial Transcript

(Volume V, pg. 3460 & pg. 3461)

# # #