The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

This is my March 1974 home movie of the Phonograph display at Henry Ford Museum, and the Menlo Park area of Greenfield Village. Notice the large number of phonos not in glass cases that have no reproducers. I like to think that the museum had the reproducers in storage, rather than letting people steal them. I love the Edison Water Motor phono and the Opera in glass cases.

In the 2nd floor of the Menlo Park lab, you can see their (Edison) Brady tinfoil phono on a shelf to the left of a window. (In 1974, I probably didn't know what it was). There is also the (Edison) Bergmann tinfoil, and right behind it looks like a Kruesi tinfoil.

Jim Nichol

That is quite a time capsule. Seems like some behind glass too are missing reproducers. Is that your reflection in the glass? Appreciate you posting this. -Dan-

Very cool. Viewing this makes me think about how cool it would be to get into a time machine and go back to some of the old stores selling these items when they were brand new.

Dan, yes I now see that some of the machines behind glass also don't have reproducers. And yes, I see a reflection of my clothes in the glass. I recognize that white plaid jacket I had in 1974.

Jim Nichol

Fantastic film! Really appreciate you posting this. I especially like seeing the Tinfoils.

If you have been there since then, you will know that there are very few phonographs on display anymore. I bought by first Edison cylinder machine in 1975 and it was missing parts. I went the Henry Ford and saw the display you filmed. You could walk right up to them and I did, comparing what I had and what I was missing. I was then able to search out the parts I needed (not from the museum, of course).
Dave D

If you have been there since then, you will know that there are very few phonographs on display anymore. I bought my first Edison cylinder machine in 1975 and it was missing parts. I went the Henry Ford and saw the display you filmed. You could walk right up to them and I did, comparing what I had and what I was missing. I was then able to search out the parts I needed (not from the museum, of course).
Dave D

Great film! I’m learning how to shoot film like that myself!

Jim, that's the Same year I took the photo of the water motor phonograph that I poster in the other forum a few days ago. I just noticed it in your movie.