Entire Collection
Edison Phonograph Disc
Specifications
Edison Phonograph Disc
Category
Communication
Classification
CHENHALL - Tools & Equipment for Communication - Sound Communication T&E - Sound Communication Media - Record, Phonograph
Keyword
Object Origin
Thomas A. Edison, Inc.
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.
Marks: Front: "50806-R / EDISON / Look For The / Silver Lining Medley / (Intro, "Humming") / (Kern-Breau-Henderson) / Piano Solo / RAY PERKINS / 7963-4-2-2" Back: "50806-L / EDISON / Make Believe Medley / (Intro, "Moonlight") / (Schilkret-Conrad) / Piano Solo / RAY PERKINS / 7985-A-1-1"
Measurements: Object:
Depth: 0.25 in, Diameter: 9.875 in
Weight: 0.47 lbs
Credit
Gift of Vince Granatelli, 2018.1.108
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 two solo piano performances entitled "Look for the Silver Lining – Medley" and "Make Believe – Melody". These two musical pieces were performed by the pianist Ray Perkins (1896 – 1969). Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Perkins was a pianist, singer, radio producer, and songwriter during the early twentieth century.
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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