The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Picked one up today thinking it was Pink Lambert but it is announced Edison-Bell Indestructible record. What is the difference?

Larry

The most important Edison vs. Lambert litigation was because of the cylinder's compatibility to the mandrels of Edison phonographs. Edison claimed that Lambert was infringing his patents because of that format use. The court did not follow his point of view as Lambert cylinders did have an inner conical form but were totally straight and only touched the phonograph mandrel with each edge.

Patent showdowns were not a real problem in Europe were Lambert started a joint venture with the British Edison-Bell Company to have his indestructible cylinders sold as "Edison-Bell Indestructible Records", followed also by a continental sales subsidiary in Hamburg, Germany.

However, the expensive legal conflicts had taken Lambert's Company bankrupt. Edison may not have legally won this fight but certainly won it economically. In 1912 Edison was finally allowed to use celluloid for the production of his own cylinders and immediately released his brand-new Amberola cylinder.

Rich Gordon

Rich,

Thank You for that info on the cylinder.

Larry