The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

wjw wrote:Edison should have put a steam engine in those crazy Diamond Disc cabinets he made with portland cement!

He didn't ...


Did he really ? (Concrete phonographs, that is )


Were these specifically made for the concrete houses in Florida?

De Soto Frank wrote:

wjw wrote:Edison should have put a steam engine in those crazy Diamond Disc cabinets he made with portland cement!

He didn't ...


Did he really ? (Concrete phonographs, that is )


Were these specifically made for the concrete houses in Florida?

Yes he did. some were pretty elaborate, about the size of an upright laboratory model. They were a big flop. Heavier than h*ck and the lids and doors tended to fall off. I don't think they were ever offered for sale to the general public but I could be wrong. I also don't think a complete one survives.

From what I recall one or two survive at the Edison Historical Site because they were never shipped or unpacked.

There are a couple at the Henry Ford. These cabinets were never offered to the public due to weight and fragility.

George P.