not to be mistaken with “phonograph”
invented by emil berliner in 1887
the first gramophone, being one of emil berliner’s several inventions (not thomas edison, he pioneered sound recording and playback.) the design if the first gramophone being more of a skeletal frame design. it was hand cranked, but had no potential energy motor to store it. the speed and consistency was required by your own ears and lever spinning skill. the
horn was paper mache, thus many original horns do not exist today.
eldridge johnson made a more iconic model of the gramophone, the
victor toy gramophone. he had previously manufactured for emil berliner, becoming successful enough to open
victor talking machine co.
victor-c,
victor junior are other iconic models. there is a long line of
victor gramophones, and later victrola gramophones, and other companies too. columbia is another iconic company.
the gramophones are, of course, nothing without the playable
music, records. however gramophones are different. gramophones require
soft steel needles on the reproducers. the reason for
soft steel is that it wont wear out the record too quickly. due to the softer stylus, every 1-3 plays, replace the needle. the edges become sharper like a pencil used one side a lot. these sharp edges cut into the side of grooves, making it harsher on the record; ruining in one play with a worn needle, plus the
music quality will be reduced. most gramophones use steel needles with some, very few exceptions.
guy 1: see that old
geezer over there with his
horn machine thing?
guy 2: you mean the person listening to the operatic classicals of way back when?
guy 1: yeah, its not like the
music of today’s time
guy 2: i mean, it is a gramophone, pretty old “talking machine”
