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: [email protected] > To: [email protected] > 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 > _______________________________________________ > Phono-L mailing list > http://phono-l.oldcrank.org _______________________________________________ Phono-L mailing list http://phono-l.oldcrank.org
