The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I just finished reading Stephan Puille's article in The Antique Phonograph wherein he demonstrates that what we all thought was Edison's first Phonograph patent (U.S. Patent 200,521; granted February 19, 1878), was actually the second. It turns out that Edison was issued a Canadian Patent for a "Speaking Telegraph" on October 17, 1877 - over four months earlier than his U.S. Patent. The Canadian Patent illustrates 3 different pre-tinfoil models of the phonograph in the twentieth clause of the patent. Great article, Stephan!

Now this is reasonably important news for those of us into the history of talking machines. But in the back of my mind, I was a little bummed out. You see, February 19 is my birthday, and I always thought it was kind of cool that my birthday coincided with the date of Edison's first Phonograph patent. Then I carefully read the grant date of that Canadian patent: October 17 - - my son's birthday!

George P.

Wow! Very interesting, George! My birthday is May 4, the date of one of Bell & Tainter's fundamental Graphophone patents.

George, thank you for the kind words.

I am born on 4th of July and therefore feel personally connected to your nation, but in so far as phonographs are concerned, nothing of interest happened that day. The same applies to my son's birthday (August 29).

Oh well - I can comfort myself with the fundamental Berliner U.S. Patent (No.534543) granted February 19, 1895...! That and a buck gets me hot chocolate...

My wife's birthday is December 10. That's a pretty big phonographic patent date too! But I'm afraid our daughter is out in the cold: January 22.

This must be the most ridiculous thread I've ever done!

Still a great article, though.

George P.