How to Work on an Edison 1914 Phonograph

In the late 19th century, Thomas Edison stumbled upon a truly remarkable invention and changed the world forever. He discovered that when used in conjunction with a needle and a cardboard cone, he could transform ordinary tinfoil into a sound-capturing device. The first record players designed by Edison were designed for Edison Blue Amberol records. These were made out of wax similar to that which was used to seal letters. The design of Edison's record players was both simple and complex. The device debuted at a time when virtually all items were "user serviceable," meaning people could purchase and install replacement parts for anything broken. These parts are considerably harder to come by today, so some improvisation may be necessary.

Things You'll Need

• Edison phonograph
• Edison "Blue Amberol" horizontal record
• Flashlight
• Oil
• Thin rubber strip or rubber band

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Research the device that you have including its serial number. Some Edison phonographs can be very valuable.

   • 2

     Lift the lid on the phonograph. Underneath the lid you will see all of the components.

   • 3

     Check the coil quality. Edison phonographs are spring-powered. Springs that are over-used can be broken or bent.

   • 4

     Check to make sure the speed weights are present and still attached.

   • 5

     Drop a little oil on each of the moving parts.

   • 6

     Check the brake pad. This stops and starts the record's spinning. If the rubber has dried or worn, replace it with another piece.