Berliner "Improved Gramophone": "On This Day in Phonographic History..."

[phonogfp]

"On This Day in Phonographic History..."

 

August 19, 1897: Eldridge Johnson filed for a U.S. patent for a “Gramophone and Actuating Device Therefore.”  This device became the Berliner Improved Gramophone, selling over 30,000 units, and part of the world’s best-known trademark: “His Master’s Voice.”

 

March 22, 1898: Eldridge Johnson received a U.S. patent (No.601,198) for a “Gramophone and Actuating Device Therefore.” 

 

For  many additional pictures of surviving "Improved Gramophones," click here:

 

#antiquephonographsociety #phonograph #gramophone #antique

 

 

 

 

[Fran604g]

Hiya folks,

 

At the risk of sidestepping this thread (not my intention), could one or more of you post a photo of the motor assembly with the "case/cabinet" off? My curiosity is whether there where any significant changes over time to the governor and/or entire motor mechanism.

 

If my post is too off-topic, just say so, and I'll create a separate post.

 

Cheers,

Fran

[phonogfp]

Anything for you, Fran!

 

I don't believe there were any significant changes to the mechanism over its production life other than going from a 2-ball to a 3-ball governor.  Only the earliest examples had 2-ball governors.

 

George P.

PS: The piece of leather between this mechanism and the wooden base may not be original, but it has been there for a very long time (it was there when I bought the machine in 1981) so I'm leaving it in place.

 

[Fran604g]

Thanks George, I appreciate your help!

 

Cheers,

Fran

[phonogfp]

Anytime!?