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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.

Marks: Front: "(a) Hiawatha / (Neil Morel) / (b) Laughing Water / (Frederic W. Hager) / SODERO'S BAND / A PRODUCT OF / THE EDISON / LABORATORIES / 50514-R / EDISON / TRADE MARK / Thomas A Edison / 637.0-B-7-132" Back: "(a) Creole Belles / (J. Bodewalt Lampe) / (b) Soldiers In The Park March / (L. Monekton) / NEW YORK MILITARY BAND / A PRODUCT OF / THE EDISON / LABORATORIES / 50514-L / EDISON / TRADE MARK / Thomas A Edison / 6371-A-5-51"

Measurements: Object:
    Depth: 0.25 in, Diameter: 9.75 in
    Weight: 0.536 lbs

Credit

Gift of Vince Granatelli, 2018.1.119

Display Status

Not On View

Edison Phonograph Disc

About: Edison Phonograph Disc

About: Edison Phonograph Disc

This record, specifically known as a Diamond Disc, features four musical pieces. The front side of the disc features Hiawatha and Laughing Water recorded by Sodero’s Band. The back side of the record features Creole Belles and Soldiers in the Park March recorded by the New York Military Band.


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 weighed 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 stylus’ 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 stylus’ 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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