The Edison Employment Questionnaire

By the early 1920s, Thomas A. Edison's employment questionnaire became public after Charles Hansen, an unsuccessful applicant, memorized 141 of the questions. Job seekers taking Edison's questionnaire were called "victims" by the New York Times (links to PDF of article). The Newspaper claims "only a walking encyclopedia" could answer the questions.

Requests for the official questions were denied by Mr. Meadowcroft, Edison's secretary, because it would provide an unfair advantage to future applicants. However, Hansen's memorized list include:

• Who was the Emperor of Mexico when Cortes landed?
  
• Where are condors to be found?
  
• What country produces the most nickel?
  
• Name three principle acids?
  
• Where do we import cork from?
  
• What kind of wood are kerosene barrels made from?
  
• What voltage is used on street cars?
  
• What kind of wood are axe handles made from?
  
• What States produce phosphates?
  
• What is the weight of air in a room 20x30x10?

How well did you score?
Of the hundreds of applicants, only a handful scored satisfactory and were inducted into the Edison ranks. Others--many of whom were college graduates--mocked the test they perceived as pompous and irrelevant to the job's requirements.

Mr. Meadowcroft defends the questionnaire. "I will say, however, that it covers pretty thoroughly a man's supply of general information."

The included illustration is from the collection of James Cartoons, published between 1920-1921 by the New Process Electric Corporation. Here, Thomas Edison is seen printing questions. He is surrounded by his inventions and a number of hysterical college graduates who are spouting mock questions.