Since SOTM released, people have been quick to criticize Edwin's lore for the following reasons:

>Edwin created all FNaF animatronics

>he is shoehorned into previous FNaF lore

>his existence minimizes Henry's genius

However I would like to point out that aside from all of the other counterpoints already discussed in past threads here on /v/ and /vg/ (Edwin being ONLY a contractor, Fredbear's existing prior to the game meaning Henry still made the first springlocks himself...), Edwin's role fills a gap that has been set up ever since FNaF 3.

In FNaF 3, Phone Guy tells us that during the 80's, Freddy's was a franchise. Not a single location, but multiple, sprawling throughout the USA. This is supported by Chica's Part World and the mention of franchise locations in SOTM.

Now, taking this into account with Henry's story, do you REALLY think that Henry made all of the animatronics for ALL locations? Of course not. He would have to make designs, prototypes mayhaps, but then to allow a manufacturer to MASS PRODUCE these. Just like Chuck E Cheese hires Garner Holt to create animatronics based on their designs.

This is supported once again in FNaF 3 by Phone Guy stating that the hand cranks of the springlock suits are 'provided by the manufacturers'.

Who is that manufacturer? Edwin. It's Edwin. And he fills this already existing role in the story.

Henry could have never made ALL the animatronics for all the fazbear locations, and logic tells us that he had to contract someone to do that.