Edison Transcontinental Phone Call

[OrthoSean]

A couple of years ago, I got this disc in a box of other DDs and didn't know much about it. I found out details later then put it away and "lost" it until just the other day

This was recorded in October 1915 and played back to TAE himself via telephone on the pacific coast.

I used several different programs to slightly denoise and clean up the sound a bit, but this is an incredibly great quality recording!

Enjoy!

https://app.box.com/s/xrpoxb6wb9unm1atftbs

Sean

[52089]

Bravo, Sean! Thanks for sharing this rarity. The quality of the voice recording is outstanding. The accent and ex-treme e-lo-cu-ti-on are quite interesting as well.

Is this an acoustic transfer or electric?

[EdisonSquirrel]

Thanks Sean. I can relate to the spirit of this disc as I've been stocking up on 60-watt incandescent light bulbs, which as you know, have gone out of production as of the end of 2013.

It is fascinating to hear someone from a century ago take stock of the technology of the era and offer words of thanks to Edison for his contributions.

As for the affected pronunciation and rolled "r"s....



Rocky

[VintageTechnologies]

Wow! That record was quite a find. I wonder how many were pressed?

The art of public elocution only 100 years ago was bizarre. Imagine hearing anyone speaking like that today! I wonder how people actually sounded in Shakespeare's day?

[Roaring20s]

Sean, that is a gem of a diamond disc!

I wonder how many were pressed?
The art of public elocution only 100 years ago was bizarre.

Only several hundred we just go by the engraving on the record and the dialog itself.
As for the elocution, I'd say it has exaggerated for the phone transmission.

James.

[OrthoSean]

Sean, that is a gem of a diamond disc!

Thanks! There are more in the same group, including some unissued tests which I'll get around to doing eventually.

Only several hundred we just go by the engraving on the record and the dialog itself.
As for the elocution, I'd say it has exaggerated for the phone transmission.

James.

Judging by the number of copies I've been able to locate, I'd guess maybe two hundred were pressed, if that. It's interesting to note that this copy is "Take A" and the ENHS has "Take B" which to my ears is less interesting. MRH's enunciation is far less pronounced in the second take. My guess was the exaggeration was indeed for phone transmission and also TAE's poor hearing.

Sean

[FloridaClay]

I keep being amazed by the things that turn up, even now.

Clay

[Lenoirstreetguy]

Rare indeed. The copy at the Edison National Historic Site is not in as good shape as Sean's copy: this is an extraordinary find. The event where the record was played is described fully in the Edison Phonograph Monthly .

[FloridaClay]

Rare indeed. The copy at the Edison National Historic Site is not in as good shape as Sean's copy: this is an extraordinary find. The event where the record was played is described fully in the Edison Phonograph Monthly .

And here it is.

Clay

[Roaring20s]

That description whirled in my head and inspired me to dream some...

James.