| The bank panic of 1893 and the ensuing depression result in the discharging of numerous "old hands" and the suspension of many activities at the laboratory. | |
| Spends most of his time at the Ogden plant. Is available in West Orange only on weekends and occasionally on Mondays. | |
| Sells blocks of his General Electric Company stock. | |
| Jan 9 | Resigns as president of the North American Phonograph Company and as vice president of the Edison United Phonograph Company. |
| Jan | William K. L. Dickson produces "Edison Kinetographic Record of a Sneeze," the first motion picture to receive a copyright. Dickson and Theodore Heise go on to copyright approximately seventy-five motion pictures in 1894. |
| Mar 1 | Arthur E. Kennelly resigns his position at the West Orange laboratory; forms a consulting firm with Edwin Houston in Philadelphia. |
| Mar | The first contract for the production of twenty-five kinetoscopes is completed. |
| Apr 1 | William E. Gilmore becomes vice president and general manager of the Edison Manufacturing Company. |
| Apr 14 | The first commercial viewing of the peephole kinetoscope is held by the Holland Brothers at 1155 Broadway, New York City. |
| Apr | Alfred O. Tate resigns as Edison's private secretary. |
| Aug 21 | The North American Phonograph Company enters receivership; Newark attorney John R. Hardin is appointed receiver. |
| Oct 17 | The first foreign kinetoscope parlor opens in London, England. |
| Dec. | Closes the Ogden plant for repairs and design modifications. |