Name: | National Gramophone Company; New York (USA) |
Abbreviation: | nationgram |
Products: | Model types |
Summary: |
National Gramophone Company Emile Berliner's National Gramophone Company brought disc records to the US. They distributed Berliner gramophones & discs made in Philadelphia & Washington labs. They even partnered with a NJ machine shop for spring-motor gramophones. Despite a fire setback in 1897, the company thrived, leading to Berliner Gramophone branches opening in London (1898) and other countries. However, internal conflicts and illegal competitors led to the company's demise in 1900. Although Berliner was ousted, his disc format prevailed, paving the way for the modern record industry. |
Founded: | 1896 |
Closed: | 1900 |
Production: | 1896 - 1900 |
History: |
Emile Berliner's Disc Recording Journey: A Trail of Trials and Triumphs Emile Berliner (1851-1929), the inventor of the gramophone, embarked on a fascinating journey filled with experimentation and innovation. Unlike Thomas Edison's cylinder-based phonograph, Berliner envisioned capturing sound on flat discs. This path, though ultimately successful, wasn't without its challenges. Early Attempts: From Photoengraving to Etching Berliner's initial forays involved replicating sound waves directly on a disc. He drew inspiration from Leon Scott's phonautograph, which translated sound vibrations into visual recordings on blackened glass. Berliner attempted to replicate this process on a more durable material, first using photo engraving on a glass disc. He was unaware that a French inventor, Charles Cros, had already theorized about sound recording and reproduction in 1877, but never pursued it. Unfortunately, photoengraving proved problematic for Berliner. He then shifted gears to an etching process. He experimented with various materials, finally settling on zinc discs coated with a beeswax and cold gasoline mixture. This mixture could be scratched by a stylus attached to a vibrating mica diaphragm, replicating the sound waves in the form of grooves. The process then involved coating the back of the disc with varnish and immersing it in an acid bath. The acid etched the grooves permanently into the zinc, allowing for sound reproduction when played on a turntable with a steel stylus. However, this early method had two drawbacks:
Finding the Right Material: A Material Odyssey The quest for the perfect material to press positive copies from the negative proved to be another hurdle. Berliner experimented with various substances like plaster of Paris and sealing wax, with disappointing results. Finally, he saw promise in a new material called celluloid. He contacted the inventor, J.W. Hyatt, who initially seemed confident about its suitability. However, celluloid quickly revealed its weakness – it couldn't withstand the pressure of repeated playing with heavy needles and tonearms. This setback forced Berliner to abandon celluloid, making early celluloid Berliner discs rare collectors' items today. The search continued, leading Berliner to hard rubber manufacturers. While the specific company remains unknown, evidence suggests he contacted the India Rubber Comb Company of Newark, New Jersey. This time, the heat-treated hard rubber proved successful. It could be used to stamp positive copies from the zinc negative, paving the way for mass production of Berliner's disc recordings. The National Gramophone Company: A Berliner Gramophone Offshoot with a Global Reach The National Gramophone Company, established in 1896 by Emile Berliner, played a pivotal role in bringing the Berliner gramophone and its disc recordings to the American market. Here's a closer look at its history, including the international expansion that mirrored Berliner's vision: Distribution Powerhouse and International Expansion:
Early Setbacks and Global Expansion: The company faced a major hurdle in 1897 when a fire ravaged Berliner's Washington lab. This resulted in the loss of numerous unpressed zinc masters (recordings) and production equipment.
Internal Conflict and Downfall:
Legacy: A Stepping Stone for the Future:
US Library of Congress, Emile Berliner & the Birth of the Recording Industry, Essay ” The Gramophone”. |
This manufacturer was suggested by Jürgen Bauch.
Country | Year | Name | 1st Tube | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
USA | 99 | Grammophon Style No.2(1899) | ||
USA | 94 | Grammophon Hand Cranked (1894) | ||
USA | 97 | Berliner Ratchet-Wind Gramophone | Berliner Gramophone mfd. by National Gramophone Co. New York; Ratchet-Wind mechanism.... |
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