Skip to Content

Search

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

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.

Marks: Front: "Baby Dreams / From the Musical Comedy / "Jimmie") / (Herbert Stothart) / Sopreno and Mixed Vocals with / Orchestra / ELIZABETH SPENCER / A PRODUCT OF / THE EDISON / LABORATORIES / EDISON / 50717-R / 7618-A-4-1" Back: "Margie / Medley Fox Trot / (Intro. Look What You've Done / With Your Dog-Gone Dangerous Eyes) / MAX FELLS'S / DELLA ROBBIA ORCHESTRA / A PRODUCT OF / THE EDISON / LABORATORIES / EDISON / 50717-L / 7642-A-3-7"

Measurements: Object:
    Depth: 0.25 in, Diameter: 9.875 in
    Weight: 0.53 lbs

Credit

Gift of Vince Granatelli, 2018.1.115

Display Status

Not On View

Edison Phonograph Disc

About: Edison Phonograph Disc

About: Edison Phonograph Disc

This Diamond Disc record features the recording "Baby Dream" from the musical comedy Jimmie. The song was recorded by the soprano singer Elizabeth Spencer (1871 – 1930) and written by Herbert Stothart (1880 – 1949). Stothart was an American songwriter and composer who was a prominent composer in Hollywood during the 1930s and 1940s. During his career he was nominated for twelve Academy Awards and won Best Original Score for The Wizard of Oz. The second recording on this disc is "Margie Medley Fox Trot (Intro. Look What You’ve Done with Your Dog-Gone Dangerous Eyes)" and was recorded by the Max Fell’s Della Robbia Orchestra.


  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

The objects and content presented on this website have been reviewed for the copyright status to the extent possible. However, if you believe that any material has been used improperly or without proper authorization, please contact us. We are committed to respecting intellectual property rights and will address any concerns promptly.

 

Have a question or comment about this object? Contact us.