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
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.
Marks: Front: "The Worst / Is Yet To Come / (Bert Grant) / Comic song with orchestra / BILLY MURRAY AND CHORUS / OF GIRLS / EDISON / TRADE MARK / Thomas A Edison / 6474-C-45" Back: "Jim, Jim, / I Always Knew That / You'd Win / (Harry Von Tilzer) / Baritone with orchestra / EDISON / TRADE MARK / Thomas A Edison / 6472-C-59" 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: 0.518 lbs
Credit
Gift of Vince Granatelli, 2018.1.120
Display Status
Not On View
Edison Phonograph Disc
About: Edison Phonograph Disc
About: Edison Phonograph Disc
This disc, also known as a Diamond Disc, features the song "The Worst is Yet to Come" and the song Jim, "Jim I Always Knew that You’d Win" which were two songs written during World War I (1914 – 1918). "The Worst is Yet to Come" was composed by Bert Grant (1878 – 1951) and performed by Billy Murray (1877 – 1954). The lyrics of the song mock Wilhelm II (1859 – 1941), the German Emperor during World War I, with the second verse stating: "Oh! Willie, Willie, wild fellow/ Growing up so high/ You’d better order your coffin now/ Because you’re gonna die". The song "Jim, Jim I Always Knew that You’d Win", was composed by Harry Von Tilzer (1872 – 1946) and written at the end of World War I with lyrics referencing the end of the war and men returning home.
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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