Edison Disc Phonograph: Diamond Disc - official Laboratory Model

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 TextThis phonograph is an Edison with copyright dates of 1903 to 1916. The records for this phonograph are 1/4” thick and made of clay and shellac. This phonograph truly changed people’s lives. No longer did one need to be proficient with a musical instrument, all they had to do was crank the handle, set the needle, and the beautiful music would play out. The phonograph was especially popular because the phonograph only required a quick couple cranks of the handle making it an easy way to entertain friends without singing or playing instruments yourself. The phonograph was invented in 1877 by Thomas Edison for recording and reproducing sound. Many other inventors had created devices that could record sound but Edison’s was the first that could playback the recorded sound. To create a recording, the sound vibration waveforms were recorded as corresponding physical deviations of a spiral groove and were then engraved, etched, incised or impressed into the surface of a rotating cylinder or disc called a record. To replay the sound, a needle is pushed along the surface and traces the grooves creating a vibration and in return produces the recorded sound.

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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