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 with a portrait of Edison in a shield shape next to a patent statement in a similar shield shape. The same numbers are stamped equally spaced into the rim four (4) times.
Marks: Front: " "When Irish Eyes are / Smiling" / The Isle O'Dreams (Ball) / Tenor Solo / Orchestra Accompaniment / EDISON / TRADE MARK / Thomas A Edison / 3350-C-6-168" Back: "Where the / River Shannon Flows / (James I. Russell) / Tenor and Chorus with Orchestra / WALTER VAN BRUNT / EDISON / TRADE MARK / Thomas A Edison / 4223-A-1-69" 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" Rim: "80255"
Measurements: Object:
Depth: 0.25 in, Diameter: 9.625 in
Weight: 0.545 lbs
Credit
Gift of Vince Granatelli, 2018.1.116
Display Status
Not On View
Edison Phonograph Disc
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About: Edison Phonograph Disc
About: Edison Phonograph Disc
This record, known specifically as a Diamond Disc, features two songs with lyrical references to Ireland. The two songs on the disc are titled "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling" from the production of The Isle O’ Dreams and "Where the River Shannon Flows". Written by Chauncey Olcott (1858 – 1932) and George Graff Jr. (1886 – 1973) and set to music composed by Ernest Ball (1878 – 1927), "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling" is a lighthearted song that references the sweet song of a Linnet, a type of bird commonly found in Ireland. The song "Where the River Shannon Flows" was recorded by Walter Van Brunt (1892 – 1971) and was originally written by James I. Russell (1859 – 1914). The song is an emotional song about a man dreaming about going home to Ireland with references to Ireland’s longest river, The River Shannon.
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
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