Was there an Edison Diamond Disc home recording device?

[transformingArt]

I recently read an article about Edison Diamond DIscs, and according to the article, Edison actually tried to sell a Home recording device for his Diamond Disc format by means of some kind of attachment. According to that article, the device was actually made, and the prototype model was even photographed once - anyone who has any more information about it?

I saw several early disc-type Home recording devices in the past, including the Homophone Recording attachment from late 1910s, but I never heard a Diamond Disc Cutter made for the home use.

[Jerry B.]

There may have been non-Edison devices to make records on a Diamond Disk but there was, to my knowledge, no Edison device to make home Edison records on a Diamond Disk. I think that's what you are asking. Jerry Blais

[gramophoneshane]

Edison tried to develope such a recorder, but it never went on sale to the public afaik.
I saw a picture of one on an old board, and if I remember correctly it had a music master horn attached to a C250. It may be pictured in Frows DD book but I'd have to check.

[phonojim]

The music master horn shown on the C250 in Frow's book was an attempt to get more sound volume out of the machine. They had a special DD reproducer which had a second outlet in the front with the MM horn was connected to it and supported by a crane clamped to the front edge of the cabinet. As far as I know it never went beyond the experimental stage.

Jim

[gramophoneshane]

Thanks Jim.
I thought there was a MM involved somewhere, but wasn't sure if the picture posted was from Frows or another source. I had a copy on my old computer but it crashed about 4 yrs ago.
I suppose the photo should be online somewhere but the board I copied it from is long gone.

[coyote]

As a side note, much later there were the Edison "voice writer" red vinyl-type discs which I think were ALSO labeled as "diamond discs."

Jim, I agree--the photo we're thinking of in the Frow book is a Charles(?) Edison volume experiment and not related to recording.

[De Soto Frank]

As a side note, much later there were the Edison "voice writer" red vinyl-type discs which I think were ALSO labeled as "diamond discs."

Jim, I agree--the photo we're thinking of in the Frow book is a Charles(?) Edison volume experiment and not related to recording.

Here's a link to voice-writer disc up on e-bay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Thomas-Edison-Vinta ... 3f05f8b44c

[Dave Connor]

I have a functioning so called voice writer, actually labeled Edison Dictograph. It obviously was made for dictation, as it has a remote controlled start stop function, and a remote microphone. It records and plays red 7 inch Diamond Discs, about as well as early cassette recorders. Says Edison all over it. I cannot find anything on this amazing little personal one track recorder in a small suitcase on google or any articles on dictophones anywhere, absoltely zero references or photos. But there is obviously no doubt that this item would qualify as a home recording device, since I've recorded to it at home! I've looked every coupla years for info, still none - but I found this thread! Honestly, I figured this was worth something so I've held onto it and not burned through the cache of blank discs or spent alot of time with the recorded discs that were with the machine when I got it, tho I'm pretty sure it was used by a court reporter in Alexandria and Fairfax VA (perhaps up to her death) in 1983 when I picked it up off her front lawn when her kids emptied out the house. I would love to discuss this item, possible value, and would most likely part with it if there is demand. I'm Dave Connor, nd can be reached at 571 323 1020.