More Detroit Phono Display Pics...

[CurtA]

[Analogous]

Is the museum still there?

[Shawn]

The Detroit Historical Society and Museum are definately still there.  Whether those displays are still up, is the question.  I plan to visit in the near future!

Shawn 

[Allen]

The display of a young Tom Edison (in the 1947 Hudson photo) recalls a miniature version of the same, cast by Gorham ca 1910, perhaps as a Illuminating Convention Award;

 

The $64 question is: what was TAE holding in this pose? The base of a lightbulb or some kind of battery?

 

Allen

 

[RodPickett]

I vote light bulb.

[Allen]

Well, if it is (or was) a light bulb, Rod, where is the rest of it? I have never seen a version of this 'lost-wax' example, large or small, with any sign of the original bulb portion. Ideally, we should find an illustration of it as originally issued.

 

 As you may know, the little castings are actually dated "Sep 6 - 9, 1910" on the base and the location of where they were "used" - the 'Hotel Frontenac.'

 

Allen

 

Edited January 18, 2023 by Allen

[CurtA]

After zooming in and adjusting the lighting a hidden surprise was revealed...

[Henry]

The hidden surprise just looks like more grain, to me. Any hints? Is it Elmo?

[CurtA]

It's a Pathe rooster...

[Henry]

Oh, THAT rooster! Well cock-a-doodle-doo on me.

[CurtA]

Here is a better pic of Tom and his Pathe rooster...

Edited January 20, 2023 by CurtA

[Allen]

I was able to dig up an old image from a previous article. The little Bronze, created by E. E. Codman, is much smaller than the 1947 Display, only 3-3/4" tall.

 

 He is holding something with a "round" cross-section, but even with the increased sharpness, it is very hard to say what it is (they were also studying electric meters). The 1910 Convention at the Hotel Frontenac was the 26th such event, and TAE was in personal attendance. Obviously these Souvenirs were available around the same time, but no documents have yet surfaced to indicate who received them. 

 

Another mystery...

 

Allen

 

[RodPickett]

Possibly a switch or relay?? 

[CurtA]

"He is holding something with a "round" cross-section"

 

Maybe a pocket watch?

[Allen]

Or the top of a Leyden Jar?

[phonogfp]

40 minutes ago, Allen said:

Or the top of a Leyden Jar?

 

Perhaps an early attempt at a battery-powered watch...?😃

 

George P.

[Jerry]

Possibly an Apple Watch or a Fit Bit!

 

TIME TRAVEL!!!!

[Allen]

Given the history of this Edison (by Codman) bust, the object that he is holding was intended to be a battery.

 

Allen

 

[ChadShapiro]

The object, as Alan stated is absolutely a battery. This form was manufactured by Bergmann & Co., a company that was established to manufacture small components and instruments for the Edison electric lighting system. Edison, Edward Johnson, and Sigmund Bergmann were 1/3 partners in the firm. Outside of electric lighting items, such as this battery (or rather a cell) the firm also made and sold other electrical goods. 
 

  This is not to be confused with S. Bergmann & Co., the firm that was one of the manufacturers for the Edison Speaking Phonograph Company. S. Bergmann & Co. was formed by Sigmund Bergmann after leaving Edison’s employ when Edison moved from Newark to Menlo Park (and Bergmann to NYC). 

[Allen]

Hi Chad,

 

  Thanks for the verification. The object embraced by TAE is certainly (a) battery, but there is a minor puzzle remaining as the newspaper stories of the time often state that there are TWO of them, connected by wires.

 

 The article on the history of this sculpture (and what Edison was holding) has been published, and is available free of charge:

   https://www.academia.edu/103351401/_It_Was_a_Dark_and_Stormy_Night_

 

Enjoy.

 

Allen