This folder contains correspondence relating to the widely publicized development of Edison's poured concrete house and its potential as a low-cost dwelling for workers. Most of the material consists of unsolicited requests for plans and descriptions of the projected house and for information regarding its expected date of availability. There are also letters seeking an opportunity to exhibit Edison's model of the house, which had been displayed at Madison Square Garden in 1910. Many of the items contain Edison marginalia, usually indicating that a prepared circular should be sent in response. A few documents concern the independent promotion of poured concrete houses in Europe by George E. Small and Henry J. Harms, Jr., mechanical engineers and former Edison employees who had assisted in the design of iron molds and machinery for his concrete house construction.
Less than 10 percent of the documents have been selected. With the exception of a few samples, unsolicited inquiries have not been selected. Courtesy of Thomas Edison National Historical Park.