From Previous Page: Prices for the phonograph discs ranged from $1.15 to $4.25, but later were changed to $1.35 and $2.25. These flat discs records constituted a very high priced to manufacture because of the complex chemical process used for producing them. The new Thomas Edison Disc Phonograph was shown in Milwaukee Wisconsin for the first time at the Fifth Annual Convention for the National Association of Talking Machine Jobbers between the 10th and 13th July 1911. The National Tabloids gave a testimonial description of the new machine; stating that it was based on Thomas Edison's British 1878 patent was mainly for deterrence of any claims for copyright infringement. The 1878 British patent was mainly to dissuade any claims made by the Victor Gramophone Company or Emil Berliner. The new machines were given a mention in the Thomas Edison's Phonograph Monthly in July of 1911, but it was over a year before disc players or discs were offered for sale. By the end of 1912, three fundamental models of the Thomas Edison Diamond Disc Phonographs had been designed with prices ranging from $150 to $250, in US currency. Enthusiastic entrepreneurs were taking these phonographs all over the United States. To fortify his contention of supremacy, he argued that his records could be played 1,000 times devoid of wear. |
