Edison Disc Phonograph: Diamond Disc - official Laboratory Model

Edison Disc Phonograph: Diamond Disc - official Laboratory Model

Object NamePhonograph

Manufacturer Thomas A. Edison Inc. (American, 1894 - 1918)

Datec. 1915

OriginU.S.A.

MediumWood

Dimensions50 × 22 × 23 1/2 in. (127 × 55.9 × 59.7 cm)

ClassificationsMusical Instruments

Credit LineGift of Clifford Smith. In the Farm House Museum Collection, Farm House Museum, University Museums, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.

Object number95.3.1

Status

On view

Collections

CultureAmerican

Label TextFrom the University Museums Collections Handbook, vol. 2, 2025: The phonograph revolutionized home entertainment. No longer was musical talent required; simply crank the handle, set the needle, and beautiful music would ﬁll the room. Its ease of use made the phonograph especially popular—a few quick turns of the handle provided effortless entertainment without the need for singing or playing an instrument. This example is an Edison phonograph, bearing copyright dates from 1915 to 1919. Known as the Edison Official C-19 Laboratory Model, it was the most luxurious option, specifically engineered for use with longitudinal vibration disc records. The records—several of which are in the permanent collection—are 1/4 in. thick and made of clay and shellac, with the “Diamond Disc” series (equipped with a genuine diamond needle) produced from 1912 to 1929. Invented in 1877 by Thomas Edison and exhibited to the masses at the Chicago World’s Columbian Exposition in 1893, the phonograph was designed to record and reproduce sound. Although previous inventors created devices to record sound, Edison’s was the ﬁrst capable of playing back what was recorded. Sound vibrations were captured as physical deviations along a spiral groove, which were then engraved, etched, incised, or impressed into a rotating cylinder or disc called a record. To replay the sound, a needle would trace these grooves, creating vibrations that reproduced the original audio.

Markings2 metal labels-left hand corner-inside top. One is round w/ a lady gesturing to a building- it reads-"Diamond Disc- official Laboratory Model" and signed "Thomas A. Edison" Other label is rectangular with "Edison Disc Phonograph" in bold. "Patented NOv. 17, 1903; Jan 30, 1906; Feb. 4, 1908; March 11, 1913; Sept. 15, 1914; "Thomas A. Edison, Inc., Orange, N.J., U.S.A."

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