The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Schlick wrote:Does anyone else find it significant the the prototype pictured: a) Does not display an obvious record tracking ability (might the horn support interfere?); and b) Does not appear to incorporate linear tracking as in [all?] other Edisons?

The mast at the rear of the machine (in the picture of this particular post) could have performed the rotation of the horn and reproducer, I believe.

Best,
Fran

Weren't there pictures posted of the mechanism in a MAPS bulletin? I remember the cut line stating that this pic should lay to rest the rumour that the pics of the prototype weren't operational.

Jim

I found a better quality image of it here...

Garret wrote:
George,

Would you be willing to share your thoughts on some of the more interesting items in storage that might not be finding their way to display anytime soon? Is the vault you describe the same one as where the remaining masters are kept? I've heard about it, but unfortunately have yet to see it, or make a trip to the TAENHP for that matter, even though my treasured original A&N Disc machine is now part of the collection.

Sincerely,

Garret

I'm not very well versed with what the Site has in storage. I haven't been there since the renovation (although I may be visiting there in April), so I don't even know what's on display anymore. For those with a copy of Discovering Antique Phonographs, there are items shown in the book that hadn't seen the light of day for many years. Things that, at the time, we didn't even know existed. I hope some of those items are on display, but as I say, I'm ignorant of that beyond what I've seen in a few pictures.

I was describing the underground vault, but there's a small vault above ground too. That smaller vault used to have cylinder records (and masters I think) in it, but that could all be changed now. The Edison Disc masters are all at the Henry Ford now as far as I know. Most of the large underground vault's floor space seemed to be covered with metal file cabinets. Nowadays, many of those documents can be accessed online through the Rutgers site for the Edison Papers Project. What a great resource!

George P.

fran604g wrote:

Schlick wrote:Does anyone else find it significant the the prototype pictured: a) Does not display an obvious record tracking ability (might the horn support interfere?); and b) Does not appear to incorporate linear tracking as in [all?] other Edisons?

The mast at the rear of the machine (in the picture of this particular post) could have performed the rotation of the horn and reproducer, I believe.

Best,
Fran

Fran's right. The prototype external horn Disc Phonograph was apparently based upon U.S. Patent No.1,049,215, awarded to Frank L. Dyer. (Go to Google Patents and you can view the entire patent.) For those who have Ron Dethlefson's book, Edison Diamond Disc Recreations, Records & Artists, 1910-1929, there are three photos (from the Site) shown of this machine.

George P.

On the mast at the rear of the machine their appears to be some sort of knob so could it be a similar design of the Edison B-80 but it raises and lowers the whole reproducer and horn assembly? This makes me think that this machine is linear tracking and doesn't just rotate freely like on a Victor machine.

I'm going to be picky here- NO Edison Diamond Disc machine offers "Linear" tracking. On all of them the reproducer takes a radial path across the record.

estott wrote:I'm going to be picky here- NO Edison Diamond Disc machine offers "Linear" tracking. On all of them the reproducer takes a radial path across the record.

When I said linear tracking that's just the word I used for it. I wasn't saying that the movement of the reproducer was actually linear.

Victrolaboy wrote:On the mast at the rear of the machine their appears to be some sort of knob so could it be a similar design of the Edison B-80 but it raises and lowers the whole reproducer and horn assembly? This makes me think that this machine is linear tracking and doesn't just rotate freely like on a Victor machine.

From the photos that were more recently posted in ITG, it clearly shows that the knob raised and lowered the horn and reproducer onto the disc, while a wheel and rack much like the A/B-80 provided the tracking.

As for the reproducer, I agree with Frow's conclusion that the Company were wary of possible suits from Pathé: also, some dissatisfaction over its performance may have prompted a redesign.

Until the prototype's fate is known for certain, it will remain one of those fantasies for collectors, like the Columbia MG...

Bill

" Until the prototype's fate is known for certain, it will remain one of those fantasies for collectors, like the Columbia MG..."
What's the columbia MG? I've never heard of that one.