Edison Phonograph

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bphgravity

Senior Member
Location
Florida
Here is my new Edison Amberola 50 phonograph.

In 1908 Edison introduced his new cylinder format, first called "Amberol Record" what became later the famous ?Blue Amberol?. With his new phonographs the "Amberola-Series" Edison eliminated definitively the outside horn. The "Amberola-Phonographs", produced first in 1911, were available in a wide range of different models. The last "Edison Amberola Phonograph" leaves the manufactory at West Orange in October 1929.

The "Amberola 50" was first produced in 1915. It is a table model finished in fine mahogany. The double spring motor is playing up to five cylinders before re-winding. The "Amberola 50" is rather small, but nevertheless one of the finest phonographs, it sounds loud and clear.

Also pictured are a few of the "records" that play on the phonograph.


http://www.iaeifl.org/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showimage&id=122&type=m&Edison_Amberola_50.jpg

http://www.iaeifl.org/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showimage&id=123&type=m&Edison_Amberola_50.jpg

http://www.iaeifl.org/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showimage&id=124&type=m&Edison_Records.jpg
 
Energy-Miser

Energy-Miser

Senior Member
Location
Maryland
mdshunk said:
If you like those old Amberola cylinders, this old Tech TV episode blooper will make you sick to your stomach:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=HqZWsJ2oO_E
Click to expand...
Where do you find this stuff Marc? By the way, I don't think those cylinders are as rare as the guy in the video was claiming. I used to teach at a college where they had several of the cylinders on display, one even was filled with jokes by a comedian of the era. The sound quality however was auful. The phonograph at the aforementioned college must have been older than the one posted by the OP, as it had the famous horn attached to the needle. e/m.
 
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bphgravity

Senior Member
Location
Florida
Actually, the one I have is one of the most common "household" models produced by the Edison Phonograph Company. The "external" horn types which are identified by a roman numeral are much more rare and valuable.

I have 7 cylinders. They range in price from between $10 and $20 dollars each. I have seen them up to and over $1,000 depending on their content, rarity, and age.

The Edison Museum down here in SW Florida has over 200 Edison Phonographs and several hundred records. Many are so rare and valuable, I can't even get near them...
 
Energy-Miser

Energy-Miser

Senior Member
Location
Maryland
bphgravity said:
Actually, the one I have is one of the most common "household" models produced by the Edison Phonograph Company. The "external" horn types which are identified by a roman numeral are much more rare and valuable.

I have 7 cylinders. They range in price from between $10 and $20 dollars each. I have seen them up to and over $1,000 depending on their content, rarity, and age.

The Edison Museum down here in SW Florida has over 200 Edison Phonographs and several hundred records. Many are so rare and valuable, I can't even get near them...
Click to expand...
Looks like the one in the guy's hand in the video broke first, in his hand before it hit the ground. I played the video a few times to catch that. It must have been pretty brittle and he was probably holding on to it tight to keep it from slipping through his fingers, well maybe a little too tight !! e/m
 
mdshunk

mdshunk

Senior Member
Location
Right here.
Energy-Miser said:
Where do you find this stuff Marc?
Click to expand...
It's not so much that I go out looking for things like that, but I just remember odd tidbits and file them away for when they might be helpful. I remembered that old episode. When Bryan brought up the topic, I went hunting that video clip, feeling sure it would be on the net someplace.

By the way, I'm not much fun to play Trivial Pursuit with either. One local pub has banned me from participating on team trivia night. ;)
 
Energy-Miser

Energy-Miser

Senior Member
Location
Maryland
mdshunk said:
It's not so much that I go out looking for things like that, but I just remember odd tidbits and file them away for when they might be helpful. I remembered that old episode. When Bryan brought up the topic, I went hunting that video clip, feeling sure it would be on the net someplace.

By the way, I'm not much fun to play Trivial Pursuit with either. One local pub has banned me from participating on team trivia night. ;)
Click to expand...
Kind'a like card readers in Vegas ! My wife was like that with the TV game called "name that tune". She consistently beat the constestants right from our living room in naming the tunes. She says if there was a modern version of it, she would do poorly at it, because of all the new songs which she does not recognize. But music from 60's, 70's and 80's, I don't think there is one that she could not name. e/m
 
iwire

iwire

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Massachusetts
bphgravity said:
Many are so rare and valuable, I can't even get near them...
Click to expand...


Shoot I figured you would be a on a first name basis with all the workers at the museum and would be able to get all access. :cool:
 
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bphgravity

Senior Member
Location
Florida
"They" don't even have access to some items. The Estate operates and is managed under a very complex and somewhat complicated manner.

Upon the death of Mrs. Mina Edison in 1947, the entire estate became the property of the City of Fort Myers. (Mina soled the property to the city for a single dollar - on the basis that it would be kept as a public musuem forever) (The Henry Ford Foundation donated his portion of the property shortly afterward, along with a few private donations / purchases)

At this time, the Edison and Ford Winter Estate Foundation was incorporated to ensure the wishes of the two families were met by the city ownership. At the same time, two separate corporations, Thomas Edison's and Henry Ford's also had interest in the property and its contents. The state is involved because it is on the historical register and it is even on the national register of historical sites.

So, long story short, when a decision needs to be made about the property or its contents, no one is too sure who is in charge.

Is the city, foundation, Edison's pepole, Ford's people, the state, the fed's, who?

At any given moment, there are curatorial staff, volunteer staff, administrative staff, city staff, and state staff, all running around claiming to be in charge.

Most of the time I just mind my own business and drool over the exhibits and museum pieces, in between the laboratory tour and answering questions from the public.

To be honest, people seem to be more interested in the 1 acre wide banyan tree that stands in front of the lab than they are of the lab itself. The lab is truly great but has no real electrical signifigance to it. The museum, on the other hand, has some great electrical related pieces and exhibits.
 
boater bill

boater bill

Senior Member
Location
Cape Coral, Fl.
The Edison Estates are a convoluted management to deal with.

The museum proper is illuminated with flourescent lighting! Let's honor Edison with a creative and proper lighting design. It looks like a high school cafeteria in some areas. I was involved with the renovation a few years ago and designed and presented to the board a lighting design Thomas would be proud of. UV limiting incandescent lamps, flexible but concealed fixtures, etc. Lots of ooh and aahh.

Then someone in the food chain decided that only HVAC renovations were needed at the time.
Funny moment afterward: After the presentation I stopped at Subway, "Jared" behind the counter was chatting and asked if I had done anything interesting lately. I told him about the lighting design for the Edison museum. He said Great, the lighting in the place stinks, especially in the lab where he invented the incandescent light bulb!!!

Great score on the phonograph Bryan!
 
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