Records that were originally made of shellac, was now being made with the newly formed synthetic thermoplastic resins. The whole idea behind this combine-assorted blend was that the material would remain everlastingly flat, which was necessary for the core of the record disc formation. The phenolic resin varnish "Condensite" was applied to the core, and then the disc was stamped on the record press. The finished 10" disc weighed ten ounces, stamped heavier than most, to a degree due to the 1/4" thickness of the record. A diamond point was obtained for the stylus. The disc phonograph and the Edison discs were projected as an entire system to be incompatible with other discs or disc players. The development of the Edison disc phonograph which was unleashed commercially in 1911 after a having a tough time selling cylinder phonographs. Prices for the phonograph discs ranged from $1.15 to $4.25, but later were changed to $1.35 and $2.25. These discs constituted a high-priced to manufacture because of the complex chemical process used for producing them. The new Thomas Edison's Diamond Disc Phonograph was shown in Milwaukee Wisconsin for the first time at the Fifth Annual Convention for the National Association of Talking Machine Jobbers on July 10th -13th, 1911. The National Tabloids gave a testimonial description of the new machine. The National Tabloids testimony states that it was based on Edison's British 1878 patent mainly for deterrence of any claims for copyright infringement with the Victor Company or Emil Berliner. The new machines were given a mention in the Edison's Phonograph Monthly in July of 1911, but it was over a year before disc players or discs were offered for sale. |
