[Phono-L] Ediphone questions

[John Maeder]

Ediphones in general exist in two models: the boss's machine (record & play), and the secretary's machine (play only).  Also necessary would be the high speed shaver, and of course, dictation cylinders.  Ediphones were produced in many variations, sold, or, records supplied -- from at least the 1920's through the 1960's.  The were descended fom a long line of Edison products beginning with the very first wax cylinder phonographs; and, much of dictation machine history is also descended from and intertwined with the earliest Bell-Tainter Graphophones that evolved into Ediphone's competitor, Dictaphone.

Black, metal-cased Ediphones almost certainly date from the 1920's.  Earlier models were wooden (i.e., the Edison 'Business Phonograph' -- the Ediphone's immediate predecessor).  Later models were 30's drab gray and more Art Deco in styling.

I'm not sure if factory records are accesible.  Ediphone became McGraw-Edison and then McGraw-Hill Publishing. I don't know the whole story well enough to tell you any more.  I know of at least one collector with a keen interest in business machines who can probably dial production dates in more precisely without factory archives.  I will try to contact and ask what is known.

John M



> Date: Tue, 25 Aug 2009 21:02:32 -0500
> From: jenny.rempe at gmail.com
> To: phono-l at oldcrank.org
> Subject: [Phono-L] Ediphone questions
> 
> Hello!
> 
> I recently bought an old Ediphone that I'm having trouble finding more
> information on. It is in a black metal box and uses wax cylinders.  It has
> headphones with rubber tubing, but no mouthpiece.  Were the recording and
> playing done on two different pieces of equipment.  Also, I'm not certain of
> its age and wanted to know if anyone could tell by the serial number.  The
> serial number 256299 with a T a couple of spaces in front of it.The motor
> has  serial number 113402.
> 
> If there is anything you can share with me, please let me know.
> 
> Thanks,
> Loki
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