June 26, 2025 and 126 years ago on this day in 1899, Edgar Rice Burroughs became the treasurer of the American Battery Company in Chicago, Illinois. His father, Major George T. Burroughs was the president and his Ed’s brothers, George and Harry also worked there.
The company received an award at the World’s Columbia Exhibition in Chicago, being referred to as “the only storage battery made in this country worth any notice whatsoever. During the World's Columbian Exhibition in Chicago in 1893, George's American Battery Company supplied the batteries for Chicago's first automobile. He gave young Ed the honour of driving this "nine-seater horseless surrey" around the fairgrounds. The nighttime demonstrations were particularly impressive as the vehicle threw off sparks and flashes of blue flame.
As regularly happens, the stock market collapsed in 1901, and Ed helped his father salvage the company by selling batteries to fire stations and the like. Ed married Emma while working at the battery company, but in 1904, the couple packed up and moved to Idaho.
Some details about Ed’s period with the Battery Company are scattered across the thousands of pages at www.erbzine.com. I expect the best place to start is on the article located at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag9/0942.html
The drabble for today, “Charge It,” was inspired by the American Battery Company of Oregon, Illinois. May it rest in peace. The drabble for today, “Charge It,” was inspired by the American Battery Company of Oregon, Illinois. May it rest in peace. It contains eleven deliberate puns. A tip of the hat to my friend, Jimmie, who might have changed a fuse or two over the years.
Edgar Rice Burroughs said, “Dad, I’m happy to be treasurer of the Battery Company, but I really think I should be marketing director.”
“Marketing? We sell every battery we can manufacturer.”
“Sell more, make more. Listen. You’ll get a real charge out of my ideas. American Battery, we’re ever ready when you need energized.”
“Ed, just keep the books.”
“Resistance is futile. It’s not our fault if your current battery comes up short, we have the horsepower to replace it immediately. Just give us a wave and sine.”
“Sounds like a real joule, Ed, but it might generate negative feedback.”
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