This folder contains correspondence relating to the use of Edison's storage battery in submarines, torpedo boats, warships, and other naval vessels. Although there are a few items in Edison's hand or bearing Edison's marginalia, the documents consist primarily of typewritten letters to Edison from his chief engineer and representative in naval matters, Miller Reese Hutchison. Some letters are addressed to Frank L. Dyer in his capacity as vice president of the Edison Storage Battery Co. Other correspondents include foreign associates Sigmund Bergmann in Germany and Maurice E. Fox in Russia. Most of the documents concern attempts to elicit decisions by the U.S. government and foreign governments regarding the purchase and adoption of storage batteries for naval vessels. Some items pertain to the comparative performance of Edison's and competitors' batteries. Also included are articles from foreign newspapers, which were translated on Edison's behalf during his trip to Europe in 1911.
Approximately 90 percent of the documents have been selected. The unselected material consists of unsolicited correspondence, routine letters of acknowledgment, and duplicates. Courtesy of Thomas Edison National Historical Park.