Terry, Franklin S., 1862-1926

Business executive in the incandescent lamp industry with broad philanthropic interests related to World War I relief. Terry established the National Electric Lamp Association (NELA) with Burton G. Tremaine in 1901. Formed ostensibly as a consortium of small lamp makers in order to compete with industry giants such as General Electric and Westinghouse, NELA was found to be secretly and 75% financed by General Electric during a federal anti-trust suit in 1911. Terry served as vice president of GE and under his leadership Nela Park was built, one of the first campus-like research and production facilities in the U.S. Terry's deep interest in World War I led to the establishment of the Nela Fund. Terry supported and corresponded with orphans and soldiers of the war, and acquired a large collection of posters, publications, and artifacts relating to the historical significance of World War I.

From the description of Papers, 1875-1926. (Rhinelander District Library). WorldCat record id: 22964440

Manufacturer, Co-manager of the National Electric Lamp Co., and Vice-President, General Electric Company.

From the description of Prospective investments, 1916-1918. (Duke University Library). WorldCat record id: 30809833

Franklin S. Terry (1862-1926) was a business executive in the incandescent lamp industry with broad philanthropic interests related to World War I relief. Born in Ansonia, Connecticut, Terry was educated at Phillips Academy. He left Ansonia for Chicago in 1889 where he began the Sunbeam Incandescent Lamp Company. In 1901, he came to Cleveland where he and Burton G. Tremaine of the Fostoria (Ohio) Incandescent Lamp Company established the National Electric Lamp Association (renamed NELA in 1906).

Ostensibly established as a consortium of small lamp manufacturers which allowed for effective competition with industry giants, General Electric and Westinghouse, NELA was, in fact, secretly and largely (75%) financed by General Electric. When General Electric's interest was discovered during a federal anti-trust suit in 1911, it wholly absorbed NELA which became GE's National Quality Lamp Works Division.

Terry remained with the company throughout this period serving initially as a vice president as NELA, later (after 1911) as manager of the former NELA operations, and finally as a vice president of General Electric. It was under Terry's leadership that General Electric built and opened, in 1913, its industrial research and production facility, NELA Park, in suburban East Cleveland. Nela was one of the first campus-like research and production facilities in the United States.

With the outbreak of World War I in Europe in 1914, Terry became deeply interested in the conflict and eventually involved in efforts to assist the soldiers and orphans of the continental allied powers. To this end he established the Nela Fund to assist the families of French soldiers from the "business and professional classes." Terry and other subscribers to the Nela Fund supported and entered into correspondence with orphans (adoptees) and, at times, soldiers (Godsons).

A trip to Europe in 1919 to attend to Nela Fund matters piqued Terry's interest in the historical significance of the war and resulted in his acquisition of a vast body of posters, publications, and artifacts. These items were subsequently donated to the Western Reserve Historical Society by his widow.

Following the war, Terry continued his work with General Electric and maintained his correspondence with the families he had supported. One year after leaving General Electric, he died at the age of 64 in his summer home in North Carolina.

click here to view the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History entry for NELA Park

From the guide to the Franklin S. Terry Papers, 1875-1926, (Western Reserve Historical Society)

click here to view the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History entry for Nela Park

Franklin S. Terry (1862-1926) was a business executive in the incandescent lamp industry with broad philanthropic interests related to World War I relief. Born in Ansonia, Connecticut, Terry was educated at Phillips Academy. He left Ansonia for Chicago in 1889 where he began the Sunbeam Incandescent Lamp Company. In 1901, he came to Cleveland where he and Burton G. Tremaine of the Fostoria (Ohio) Incandescent Lamp Company established the National Electric Lamp Association (renamed NELA in 1906).

Ostensibly established as a consortium of small lamp manufacturers which allowed for effective competition with industry giants, General Electric and Westinghouse, NELA was, in fact, secretly and largely (75%) financed by General Electric. When General Electric's interest was discovered during a federal anti-trust suit in 1911, it wholly absorbed NELA which became GE's National Quality Lamp Works Division.

Terry remained with the company throughout this period serving initially as a vice president as NELA, later (after 1911) as manager of the former NELA operations, and finally as a vice president of General Electric. It was under Terry's leadership that General Electric built and opened, in 1913, its industrial research and production facility, NELA Park, in suburban East Cleveland. Nela was one of the first campus-like research and production facilities in the United States.

With the outbreak of World War I in Europe in 1914, Terry became deeply interested in the conflict and eventually involved in efforts to assist the soldiers and orphans of the continental allied powers. To this end he established the Nela Fund to assist the families of French soldiers from the "business and professional classes." Terry and other subscribers to the Nela Fund supported and entered into correspondence with orphans (adoptees) and, at times, soldiers (Godsons).

A trip to Europe in 1919 to attend to Nela Fund matters piqued Terry's interest in the historical significance of the war and resulted in his acquisition of a vast body of posters, publications, and artifacts. These items were subsequently donated to the Western Reserve Historical Society by his widow.

Following the war, Terry continued his work with General Electric and maintained his correspondence with the families he had supported. One year after leaving General Electric, he died at the age of 64 in his summer home in North Carolina.

From the guide to the Franklin S. Terry Album, 1904-1906, (Western Reserve Historical Society)