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Edison Phonograph Disc

Specifications

Edison Phonograph Disc

Category

Communication

Classification

CHENHALL - Tools & Equipment for Communication - Sound Communication T&E - Sound Communication Media - Record, Phonograph

Object Origin
Manufacturer:

Thomas A. Edison, Inc.

Date Manufactured:

1911 -1921

Physical Characteristics

Object Description: Flat circular black disc with a small hole in the center. Text is engraved on the center on both sides with a portrait of Edison in a shield shape next to a patent statement in a similar shield shape.

Marks: Front: "Meditation / Thais (Massenet) / Violin Solo / ALBER SPALDING / Pianoforte by Andre Benoist / EDISON / TRADE MARK / Thomas A Edison / 3762-H-5" Back: "Rondo Capriccioso / (Saint Saens) / Violin solo / ALBER SPALDING / Pianofortte by Andre Benoist / EDISON / TRADE MARK / Thomas A Edison / 3758-K2" Patent statement: "This / patented Record is sold / by Thomas A. Edison, Inc. / Orange, N. J., subject / to restrictions printed / on container in / which it is put / out by this / Company"

Measurements: Object:
    Depth: 0.25 in, Diameter: 9.75 in
    Weight: 0.293 lbs

Credit

Gift of Vince Granatelli, 2018.1.104

Display Status

Not On View

Edison Phonograph Disc

About: Edison Phonograph Disc

About: Edison Phonograph Disc

This phonograph disc, known as an Edison Diamond Disc, features a musical piece titled "Meditation" and "Rondo Capriccioso". It was recorded by Albert Spalding (1888 – 1953) an American violinist. Born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1888, Spalding became an internationally recognized American violinist and composer during the early twentieth century. Spalding was chosen by Thomas Edison (1847 – 1931) to record a selection of musical pieces for Thomas A. Edison, Inc., and many of these recordings were subsequently released on Diamond Discs. The Edison Diamond Disc catalog offered a variety of audio material, including classical, country, and cultural music, as well as comedy monologues, poetry, and literature readings.


Between 1912 and 1929, Diamond Disc were manufactured by Thomas A. Edison, Inc. to be used with the Edison Disc Phonograph, or record player. Diamond Discs have a thickness of ¼ inch, a diameter of 10 inches, and weigh close to 1 pound. The name Diamond Disc originated from its association with the Edison Disc Phonograph, which featured a permanent conical stylus made of diamond. The stylus, or needle, is responsible for making contact with the disc and transmitting the vibrations produced by the record’s grooves. The diamond stylus made the phonograph unique, while other phonographs used steel styluses which required regular replacement, the Edison Disc Phonograph used a durable and long-lasting diamond stylus. However, this unique feature made Diamond Discs incompatible with phonographs that used steel styluses because a steel stylus had the potential to damage the Diamond Discs while providing low sound quality. Diamond Discs experienced commercial success during the mid-1910s and into the early 1920s.

Additional information

Copyright information

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