Edison stuck around a good long time, too, by pretty much the same method -- make a better product. If the old man wasn't already deaf and hadn't abandoned records by the time the Depression hit... well, I guess there's a lot of 'what-if' over which one might speculate.Robert, I read your post and your analogy is excellent, as is Edison's quality. My 1917 C-250 still has spring washers that still are like new, some of the new spring washers I have used were useless after one use. It would be interesting to see this hobby 500 years from now. If you read the book Out of the Shadow by Charles Edison it gives you a much better idea about Edison and the years after the depression. When Charles was running the company during the recession Charles wanted to not downsize, Edison overruled him and as a result the company did not go bankrupt. This book gave me a better idea of why Edison was so stubborn and I learned about the life of his son Charles. Normally the book is available at amazon.com. I agree with your statement, all the what ifs and I wish Edison would have let go of the record part around 1920, but at least now I understand more. Charles said Edison was such a great man that he cast an enormous shadow, and Charles hoped to get out of Edison's shadow enough to cast a small shadow of his own. What makes Edison phonographs so interesting is all the varieties, he was constantly changing and improving things. The books that have made the largest impact on my collecting, The Victor Data Book, Frow DD book, Frow Edison Cylinder book, and Out of the Shadow because it covers a little know area. Ron Dethlefson recommended it and it served to fill a void in my area of Edison knowledge.Best wishes to all, Steve