Edison Cylinder records

Hi. In coming posts I intend to duscuss cylinder records, and how to restore them. Right now, I just wish to make a few simple observances of Edison cylinder records compared to the quality of other cylinder records, and, other flat disc records.

Now, to start off in the early days of recording Edison found out that the higher speed of cylinders was more superior than the disc record. Further, the surface speed of the needle on the cylinder remained constant, where, on the disc records the needle acclerated faster as it got closer to the label. This set up quite a battle with certain companies, such as the American Graphophone Company, makers of the Columbia graphophone, which sold both disc, and cylinder records, and machines.

This war kept going for several years with both companies trying to get the lion's share of the market.
I find that while the Columbia cylinder records sounded nearly as good as the Edison phonograph cylinder records, but, compared to the Edison, most of their machines were inferior in both sound quality and, mechanical quality.
Admittedly, Columbia machines could be mighty pretty looking compared to the Edison line, which were designed more for quality of workmanship, and, durability.
This is a very large part of why there are far more surviving Edison machines than Columbia...

Emile Berliner, founder, and owner of the Victor Talking Machine Company, realized what was going on. He attempted to create a more "natural sounding" machine, and record. However, while the tone can be good on these, the sound is somewhat more harsh. However, mechanically, Victor did make some very impressive machines..

Getting back to the cylinder record, the shortcoming of the cylinder record was at 160 rpm's, the records would only play for up to about two minuites, while the 12" Victor records could play for up to nearly six minuites. Edison realized this, and, was searching for a way to make a longer playing cylinder. Unfortunately, so was Columbia.
It appears that both companies discovered a way to make the cylinders play longer at about the same time.
This became the 4 min. Cylinder. The 2 min. cylinder was recorded at 100 grooves per inch.
The new 4 min. Cylinders were recorded at 200 grooves per inch, doubling the playing time...
More on this in our next conversation...
Bill Cahill