Lot 396

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Description:

Edison Drawing Improves the Lightbulb, Leading To The Edison Effect and Future Improvements in Phone, Radio, & Television. Incredible Lightbulb and Phone Done by The Most Important Inventor in History

Drawing, 1p, 8.5" x 11", matted to a size of 27.5" x 16.5", showcasing a light bulb, phone, speakers, & diodes, which would later lead to countless inventions and improvements on same, including the radio & television. Remnants of hinging on upper edges and toning.

While studying why the inner glass surface of light bulbs blackened, Edison inserted a metal plate near the filament of one of his light bulbs. He discovered that electricity would flow from the positive side of the filament to the plate, but not from the negative side to the plate, as displayed in this drawing. Edison offered no explanation for the effect but had in fact invented the first vacuum tube, which was later termed the diode. At that time there was no use for this device, therefore, the discovery was not recognized for its true significance. A diode converts electricity that alternates in direction (alternating current) to electricity that flows in the same direction (direct current).

Today, diodes are used to regulate voltage (Zener diodes), to protect circuits from high voltage surges (avalanche diodes), to electronically tune radio and TV receivers (varactor diodes), to generate radio-frequency oscillations (tunnel diodes, Gunn diodes, IMPATT diodes), and to produce light (light-emitting diodes).

ALS, 1p, measuring 4.875" x 7.75", no date, boldly signed by Thomas Edison as "E" and addressed to Sherwood Troop Moore. Moderately toned overall, with some blemishes and fingerprint marks, likely Edison's, minor chipping to the right edge, remnants of hinging on upper edges and expected folds from mailing.

Edison writes:

"Moore

Something wrong on this test.

All Blinne's test[s] made over a period of 18 months shows 6 coats better than 4 coats.
Were these made with the same working mould.
You know that first playing once over is much louder surface than the next playing over. Have Blinne play them over again.

E"

In July of 2020, Christie's sold a small collection of Edison drawings of a light bulb for $93,900. A very similar sketch to this one sold in Sotheby's New York in 2000 for $13,000.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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May 4, 2022 10:30 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000