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ProgramsMembership Program There are a several reasons why you should join the Friends of Thomas Edison NHP today! ·You'll receive invitations to members-only events and programs ·Know that your much-needed donation directly helps to preserve the Thomas Edison NHP ·Your donation supports archives preservation and research ·You'll get access to special features and content such as photographs and documents not generally available to the public · Join a global community of people that want to foster an appreciation of the Thomas Alva Edison legacy.
New members receive: · Stock certificate, suitable for framing · Edison lapel pin ·"Friendship" membership card
To become a member of the Friends of Thomas Edison National Historic Park, please choose option 1 or 2. 1. To submit your application and pay via PayPal on line, please click here: Submit your on line Membership Application. 2. If you'd rather print your application and mail it with your payment, please click: Print Membership Application. Thank you.
at the Thomas Edison NHP! This is a great opportunity to preserve.
All items listed below will be on exhibit in the new Phonograph
Gallery on the third floor of Building 5.
All need general conservation cleaning as well as:
·
Cabinets have veneer losses, scratches, missing carved elements;
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Torn and damaged silk speaker covers;
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Missing small parts on the cabinet or mechanism;
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Decorative metal details are rusty, some need gentle restoration. · Adopters can be individuals, businesses, organizations, club chapters, a worldwide program.
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Please call John or Charley at the Friends of Thomas Edison NHP, telephone
973 736 2916.
![]() Wax cylinder phonograph, 1887 This is the earliest known example of an Edison wax cylinder phonograph. Built in Bloomfield, New Jersey it dates from when the West Orange lab was under construction. It represents Edison’s re-entry into work on development of the phonograph, following his success with the incandescent light bulb. This machine has been adopted by Steve & Jeff Oliphant. Thank you. Wax cylinder phonograph, 1888 This is the second design of Edison’s wax cylinder phonograph and the first prototype to come out of the
Military
Class M, 1889
This early attempt at a portable phonograph is miniature in size,
but fully functional in design.
COST: $1,100
This phonograph was powered by water from a hose.
COST: $880
Class M coin-slot phonograph, c. 1896
During the early 1890s,
Other entrepreneurs found success using
Customers placed a nickel in the machine and listened to music or comedy through ear tubes.
The popularity of this type of phonograph led to a major change of direction for the fledgling phonograph industry.
COST: $1,320
Recording studio cylinder phonograph, c. 1910s This phonograph was used in the recording studio (and possibly at off-site locations) for cutting master cylinder records.
Very few examples of this type of machine survive, and each is somewhat different with handcrafted variations.
COST: $1,320
Stroh violin for recording, c. 1901 & Stroh viola for recording, c. 1901 Inventor Augustus Stroh designed this type of violin and viola especially for phonograph recording.
While in Europe, Edison’s recording technician William A.
Hayes purchased a number of Stroh violins for the
COST: $880 (violin), $660
(viola)
“Kinetophone”
system, 1913
In 1913
With the new system, a projector at the back of the theater connected by pulley to a mechanically amplified phonograph at the front of the theater.
Operators of the projector and the phonograph communicated by telephone intercom.
The elaborate system proved to be too complicated for local theater owners to operate independently.
Although not a long-term commercial success, the Kinetophone represents an important stage in the history of sound films.
COST: $2,420
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This phonograph has a custom-designed cabinet for Thomas Edison to use for evaluating Diamond Disc records.
The cover of the horn compartment folds down into a desk-top surface for note taking.
To compensate for
COST $1,320
One of
In 1927
Designed for the long-play disc, this prototype automatic record
changer phonograph could play music continuously for hours.
Its raw appearance is typical of an
COST: $2,750
Prototype radio-phonograph combination, c. 1927
In 1928,
This machine is typical of laboratory prototypes. Newly designed components were hand-crafted and combined with surplus parts.
The wood cabinet is a factory model discontinued in 1927. The radio and electric turntable are experimental.
COST $1,320
Cine-music System c. 1928
Edison’s son Theodore designed this electrically powered and amplified
long-play record system to accompany silent films. It worked well, but before it got to market Warner Brothers introduced the first practical synchronized sound film system. COST: $2,420 Additional Info about the Adopt a Phonograph Program. As these special machines are US Government property, we must follow well-defined regulations concerning care and restoration of these valuable artifacts. The actual restoration work is done by an approved government contractor under appropriate regulations. Payment for this restoration work is facilitated through the Friends of Thomas Edison NHP in connection with the United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Participants in the program should make the payment to Friends of Thomas Edison NHP. Thank you.
Adopt an artifact.at the Thomas Edison NHP! This is a limited opportunity to meaningfully contribute to the Edison family legacy.
All items listed below will be on exhibit at the Thomas and Mina Edison Estate at Glenmont in West Orange New Jersey. Each of these artifacts needs special care, cleaning and general conservation by experts who perform these unique services under management of the Thomas Edison NHP.
Please check back here soon to learn more about other this Special Program.
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Metal prototype long-play record changer


