Beyond Edison

Interactive project with motion sensors
Cristina Pop-Tiron | Fetelors Studio

We all know Thomas Edison’s famous inventions, but this installation invites you to explore his lesser-known influence on the world of music. By moving in front of the screen, you’ll uncover hidden aspects of his contributions, revealing an Edison beyond the light bulb. Each interaction brings a new perspective on how Edison shaped not only technology but also the way we listen to and record music.

 

EDISON AND THE HISTORY OF THE PHONOGRAPH


The phonograph, Thomas Edison’s groundbreaking invention, was a direct result of his previous work in the fields of telegraphy and the telephone. In 1877, Edison was working on a device that could record telegraph messages by indenting them onto a strip of paper. This technology led him to consider the possibility of recording telephone messages in a similar way. Edison began experimenting with a diaphragm that, equipped with an embossing needle, was pressed onto rapidly moving paraffin-coated paper to record voice vibrations.

Instead of paper, Edison later used a metal cylinder covered in tin foil. His machine had two diaphragms and two needles—one set for recording and another for playback. The sound vibrations were imprinted on the cylinder in a vertical pattern. Edison gave his mechanic, John Kruesi, the machine’s design, and Kruesi built it in about 30 hours. When Edison tested the machine, he was astonished as it clearly played back the words “Mary had a little lamb.”

Edison demonstrated the phonograph at the offices of Scientific American in New York, where the invention was received with great interest and described in the publication’s December 22, 1877 edition. As a result, on January 24, 1878, the Edison Speaking Phonograph Company was established, and the device was put on the market. Edison received $10,000 for the manufacturing and sales rights, as well as 20% of the profits. Initially, the phonograph was a success, but it was difficult to use, and the tin foil was not very durable.

Edison envisioned multiple uses for the phonograph, including recording letters, books for the blind, and reproducing music. However, over time, the novelty of the invention wore off, and Edison shifted his focus to other projects, such as the incandescent light bulb.

Later, other researchers improved the phonograph. In 1880, Alexander Graham Bell and his collaborators developed the graphophone, which used wax instead of tin foil and featured a floating needle. Edison continued to enhance the phonograph, creating a new version in line with Bell and Tainter’s innovations.

In 1887, Edison founded the Edison Phonograph Company and began producing an improved phonograph. The initial white wax cylinders were replaced with brown wax cylinders.
In 1908, Edison launched the Amberol Record, which offered a longer playback time. However, cylinders gradually lost popularity to discs, and in 1913 Edison began producing disc phonographs. Edison’s company continued to manufacture Blue Amberol cylinders until 1929, even though the general public had shifted to discs.

EDISON AND THE TALKING DOLLS
In 1890, Edison began producing talking dolls that consisted of a ceramic head, a metal body, and articulated wooden limbs. Inside the torso was a small phonograph with the same brown wax cylinder, which recited the nursery rhyme Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, recorded by a female voice. This nursery rhyme was one of twelve available recordings. By turning a crank inserted into the doll’s back, the disc would spin for playback, and a nearby lever returned the phonograph needle to the starting position.

 

The Gramophone

A gramophone is a mechanical sound playback device invented by Emile Berliner in 1887, which uses flat discs instead of cylinders to play music. Unlike the phonograph, which operated with rotating cylinders, the gramophone used a rotating disc and a needle (or stylus) that vibrated in the recorded grooves of the disc, thus producing sound. This sound was transmitted through an acoustic horn, which amplified the mechanical vibrations and played the music.

The gramophone became extremely popular in the early 20th century due to its efficiency in reproducing sound and its superior quality compared to earlier devices. The first discs were made of shellac, but later more durable materials, such as vinyl, were used. The gramophone is the predecessor of modern turntables and played a key role in democratizing access to music in its era.

The gramophone on display is a replica, as original examples are now very difficult to find.

 

The Phonograph

A phonograph is a mechanical sound playback device, similar to the gramophone, used to play music from discs. Unlike the phonograph that used cylinders, the phonograph operates with rotating discs and a stylus that reads the grooves engraved on the disc’s surface. Although its mechanism is almost identical to that of the gramophone, “phonograph” became a more familiar term in certain regions, largely due to marketing under this name.

The phonograph works without electric power, with sound being mechanically amplified through an acoustic horn. Initially, the discs used were made of shellac, which was later replaced by vinyl records. The phonograph was highly popular until the mid-20th century when electrical technologies began to dominate the sound playback market.

The Odeon Phonograph is a type of phonograph produced by the German record label and company Odeon Records, founded in 1903. Odeon became renowned for its innovations in recording and music distribution and was one of the first companies to widely promote 78 rpm records.

 

Pick-up-ul Dual 1229

Dual 1229 este un pick-up clasic, apreciat pentru fiabilitatea și performanțele sale ridicate. Produs de compania germană Dual în anii ’70, acest model este un pick-up idler-drive (cu transmisie pe roată de cauciuc), oferind o redare de înaltă calitate a discurilor de vinil de 33, 45 și 78 rpm.

Dual 1229 dispune de un braț cu suspensie foarte bine echilibrată, care permite un tracking precis, minimizând uzura discului și îmbunătățind claritatea sunetului. Una dintre caracteristicile sale distincte este funcția de automatizare completă, care permite schimbarea automată a discurilor și returnarea automată a brațului la sfârșitul redării. Platanul greu din aluminiu contribuie la reducerea vibrațiilor, asigurând o experiență de ascultare stabilă.

Renumit pentru durabilitatea sa și pentru construcția solidă, Dual 1229 rămâne un pick-up foarte apreciat de colecționari și pasionați de vinil datorită combinației de precizie mecanică și sunet de înaltă fidelitate.

The Miracord H50 Turntable

The Miracord H50 is a classic turntable produced by the renowned German company Elac, known for manufacturing high-quality audio equipment. The H50 model is part of the Miracord series, which gained significant popularity during the 1960s and 1970s due to its mechanical precision and reliability.

This turntable features an idler-drive system that ensures accurate and consistent platter rotation, resulting in clear and stable playback of vinyl records. Its heavy platter, made from high-quality materials, minimizes vibrations and background noise, contributing to an enhanced audio experience. The well-balanced tonearm of the Miracord H50 is designed to provide precise tracking, preventing premature wear on the records.

Overall, the Miracord H50 is highly regarded by audiophiles for its robust construction and superior sound reproduction, making it a popular choice among vinyl enthusiasts.

The Technics SL-1200 MK Turntable

The Technics SL-1200MK is a legendary turntable, widely regarded as one of the best ever created. Released in the 1970s, it quickly became the industry standard for both DJs and audiophiles, thanks to its direct-drive motor, which provides high torque and exceptional rotational accuracy. This feature ensures stable playback and eliminates common issues associated with belt-driven systems, such as slippage or speed fluctuations.

Its robust construction includes a heavy aluminum platter that minimizes vibrations, contributing to clear and accurate sound reproduction. The S-shaped tonearm is highly precise, offering excellent tracking and protecting vinyl records from wear. The SL-1200MK is also renowned for its impressive durability, capable of performing flawlessly even after decades of heavy use.

Its versatility and reliability have made it a favorite among both DJs and vinyl collectors, cementing its iconic status in the music industry.

 

The Emergence of Vinyl and Record-Cutting Equipment

Vinyl record-cutting machines (disc-cutting lathes) first appeared around the early 20th century. The initial technologies were developed in the late 1890s and early 1900s, coinciding with the invention of the flat disc, which gradually replaced Thomas Edison’s phonograph cylinder.

Vinyl records, as we know them today, emerged in the 1940s with the introduction of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) as a replacement for shellac. By the 1950s, cutting devices like the Rek-O-Kut became popular among hobbyists and sound engineers, enabling the creation of records at home or in small studios. These machines played a crucial role in democratizing the recording process, allowing independent artists to produce and distribute their own recordings.

 

Rek-O-Kut Challenger – Vinyl Cutting Machines

Rek-O-Kut is a brand with a rich history in the production of vinyl recording equipment, earning a solid reputation since the 1950s. Their vinyl-cutting machines, such as the Rek-O-Kut Challenger (the one on the left), are known for their reliability and ability to deliver good sound quality, even for enthusiasts who want to create their own records at home. These machines include components such as analog preamps and RCA mono cutting heads, capable of recording vinyl in various sizes (7″, 10″, 12″). Though initially designed for amateurs, these devices are also used in small commercial projects or pop-up events.

The machine you see before you was purchased by us in 2023 from the U.S. after two years of searching, and then reconditioned in Poland.

The World of Hi-Fi: Acoustic Signature

Hi-Fi (high fidelity) refers to audio equipment that reproduces sound with high quality and maximum fidelity to the original recording. Hi-Fi systems minimize distortion and provide a clear, precise listening experience. The Acoustic Signature Double X Neo is a high-performance Hi-Fi turntable, renowned for its solid construction and exceptional audio reproduction. Manufactured in Germany, this model is part of the brand’s premium range, offering a perfect balance between sleek industrial design and cutting-edge technology. With a precision-machined aluminum chassis, the Double X Neo features a belt-drive system with silent motors, ensuring stable and consistent platter rotation.

The “Dura Turn Diamond Bearing” technology delivers smooth operation and outstanding durability, reducing unwanted vibrations for extremely faithful sound reproduction. The turntable is compatible with premium tonearms, allowing users to fine-tune every aspect of their audio performance. The Double X Neo is ideal for audiophiles seeking superior listening experiences, combining impeccable aesthetics with unmatched technical precision.