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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: "Dreams / (Anton Strelezki) / Contralto with orchestra / CAROLINA LAZZARI / EDISON / TRADE MARK / Thomas A Edison / 5331-C-11-83" Back: "The Sunshine Of / Your Smile / (Cooke⁠—Ray) / Tenor with orchestra / VERNON DALHART / EDISON / TRADE MARK / Thomas A Edison / 5613-C-3-109" 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: 0.478 lbs

Credit

Gift of Vince Granatelli, 2018.1.106

Display Status

Not On View

Edison Phonograph Disc

About: Edison Phonograph Disc

About: Edison Phonograph Disc

This Diamond Disc features the song "Dreams" and the song "The Sunshine of Your Smile". On the disc, the song "Dreams" is performed by the opera singer Carolina Lazzari (1891 – 1946). Lazzari was born in Milford, Connecticut, and was a famous mezzo-soprano opera singer who premiered in Chicago in 1918. She left a lasting mark by recording more than a dozen tracks for Thomas A. Edison, Inc., and even graced Edison’s phonograph advertisements. The song “The Sunshine of Your Smile” was performed by the singer Vernon Dalhart (1883 – 1948). Dalhart was born in Jefferson, Texas, and began his career as a singer in the early nineteenth century after responding to a singer recruitment advertisement. Auditioned by Thomas Edison (1847 – 1931) himself, Dalhart went on to record for Thomas A. Edison, Inc., and later gained fame as a popular country music singer.


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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