This folder contains correspondence and other documents relating to the commercial development of Edison's alkaline storage battery in Germany and Austria-Hungary under the auspices of Sigmund Bergmann, head of the failing Deutsche Edison-Akkumulatoren-Co. in Berlin. Among the items for 1911 is a 24-page synopsis of events and agreements regarding the manufacture, sale, and organization of Edison's storage battery interests, through the German concern, during the period December 1903-May 1911. Also included are documents pertaining to an inspection of the German factory conducted by A.J. Doty of the Edison Storage Battery Co.; the resignation of H. H. Meno Kammerhoff and his subsequent employment by the Edison Storage Battery Co. in West Orange; Edison's visit to Germany in 1911; and his controversial opinions about German industry and business integrity. In addition to Edison and Bergmann, the correspondents include Emil Rathenau of Allgemeine Elektricitäts-Gesellschaft; electrical engineer, illuminating company executive, and longtime Edison associate Charles L. Edgar; and electrical importer and Edison associate Philip H. Klein, Jr.
Approximately 90 percent of the documents have been selected. The unselected material consists of unsolicited correspondence and duplicates of selected items. Courtesy of Thomas Edison National Historical Park.