As a kid, I wondered what type of phonograph that was in "My Fair Lady". Thanks for solving the mystery. And what a wonderful device, even though it really doesn't work.
At last I can actually see this operating! Thanks for posting this. I didn't know that it was this complicated device, and look how poorly this thing works....Also thanks for the clip of 'My Fair Lady'!
It will fit any Edison machine though I have not tried it on anything other than the Standard. With a great deal of time and effort I was able to get it to play most of the way through a 10" record when I first got it, but it was hard to do and even then was not fully successful. It is fundamentallly flawed, which is no doubt why it was a failure. I got it from another collector, who found the attachment among some mixed parts in San Diego. A very lucky find.
That's impressive. I own an Edison Fireside A as well as 2 other Edisons and one Victor. My wife bought me that poster you showed in your video as a wall hanging for my music room. That was the first I heard of the Biophone. You said that it's the only one known in existence? I imagine that it makes it extremely valuable regardless of the fact that it's a total flop. Still, it does make one appreciate the ingenuity of the time (or attempts anyway). Thanks for sharing this - great knowledge to have.
Fasinating attachment. You have to admire the ingenuity that went into these, even if they were less than perfect. Thanks so much for sharing this unique piece of phono history.
I think I can understand why this product played the way it did. If I remember correctly, The cylinder recording‘s started at the top of the cylinder and made its way down to the bottom where it is on a record the recording started on the outer edge and then went toward the center which would put more stress on the gears and everything to drive the motor so that the tonearm could keep moving. I would assume that the record would have to increase in speed as it gets near the end rather than slowing down as this cylinder machine does because it’s running out attention I guess. I am no physicist and I don’t know a lot about records but this was a really neat demonstration.
It is a pretty neat attachment even though the regulation did not seem good, it actually sounded loud and clear. But I imagine the adjustments are a nightmare. The Triumph might make it work well. I though have actually had Edison Homes play 5 2 minute cylinders, with careful adjustment, 6 was what was advertised. When I finish bringing back to life, and non working Edison phonograph, It MUST still play strong a record until the last ounce of spring power is gone. It takes hours to adjust machines to do this but that is how I roll. Standards are supposed to play 3 2 minute cylinders, so you figure that with all that has to be driven for the disc technology, that is not going to be so able to do that.
Thank you for let us experience this rather peculiar machinery. These things may look funny to us today, but they show, someway, the need and love of music. I have often been at your site, and with great pleasure watch your fine collection. I have a soft spot for the one with the Stirling-motor. Rolf Chr. Holth Olsen.
i had one of these on my modle D, sadly just the attachment was stolen but while i had it it seemed to work fine for playing two 78s. mine had a edison styled witches hat horn.
The "My Fair Lady" phonograph looks to my eye like a Triumph B. I. wonder whether the Biophone might have performed somewhat better with this more powerful motor: the Home was not much superior to the Standard, both having single spring motors.
maybe it would have been even easier to convert the discs you wanted to hear, into cylinders, with hot water and a suitable mandrel, and play them as such on a phonograph with a suitable reproducer... (joke)
im glad it made an appearance but im not surprised this is the only one known in existance, it is useless, i think this would have been bought by a family with lots of money and when they realised it was pointless, they couldnt be bothered to return it, the one in my fair lady would be at the back of WB studios or in someones attic. the only place for it is on display on your shelf
