Early Edison-Type Generator

Early Edison-Type Generator, with 9-inch vertical field poles, shaft with copper contacts supported by cast-iron frame with brass finials, on cast-iron base, ht. 15 x wd. 9 1/2 in. Provenance: The first de-accessioning auction at the Henry Ford Museum. Possibly a smaller version of Edison's continuous current dynamo, pat. 222, 881, December 3. 1879, which was used in lighting plants. The dynamo reportedly stood over 5ft. tall and was known humorously among laboratory staff as the "Long-Legged Mary-Ann", on account of its large bipolar magnets, a name which was apparently later changed to "Long-Waisted" for the sake of modesty.