Name/Title
Experimental Edison Home Phonograph, Model B – mit Powell-RepeaterEntry/Object ID
164Description
Serial No. H28572 | ca. 1898–1899 | Prototype
Equipped with 4-spring motor and US Patent No. 682,424 (Powell, 1901) One of only two known surviving examples worldwide – both housed at the Edisonium Mariazell
Historical Context & Significance
This unique phonograph is one of the rarest known factory-modified variants in phonograph history. It is based on a standard Edison Home Model A (Suitcase), but around 1900 it was fitted with a fully automatic repeating mechanism developed by British-American inventor John B. Powell, covered under US Patent No. 682,424, granted on September 10, 1901.
Powell’s goal was to create a long-play phonograph for commercial environments, such as stores, exhibitions, or cafés, where a single cylinder could be replayed up to ten times without manual intervention or rewinding.
Technical Features
Base Model: Edison Home Model A ("Suitcase") with hinged lid and original gold “The Graphophone” banner decal
Serial Number: H28572
Reproducer: Automatic tonearm with spring-actuated lifting mechanism
Repeater System: Full mechanical return system with tonearm reset and cylinder auto-restart
Spring Motor Configuration
One original Edison factory spring
Three additional aftermarket springs installed in series
Springs accessible through a sliding service panel located beneath the cabinet
Mechanical Design
Complex “Dog” mechanism engages the lead screw at the end of playback
Tonearm lifts, returns to the start, and lowers back into position
Mechanically powered – no electricity required
The Second Known Powell-Repeater Machine – Serial No. H25591
A second device using the Powell repeater system is also preserved at the Edisonium Mariazell. Although based on the same model, it differs in key areas:
FEATURE DEVICE H28572 (THIS ONE) DEVICE H25591 (SECOND UNIT)
Serial Number H28572 H25591
Reproducer Standard brass-front model Nickel-finished reproducer
Mandrel Brass Nickel-plated
Lid Decal Edison Gold Banner Edison Gold Banner
Condition Excellent, original Partially restored
Spring Configuration Original + 3 added springs Likely all aftermarket
Both devices are based on the Edison Home A, yet differ in hardware, mechanics, and restoration status – showcasing the variety in Powell's implementation.
The Powell Repeater – US Patent 682,424
Powell’s invention included four variants of a repeater mechanism allowing for automatic tonearm return and restart after playback. The device enabled continuous repetition of a cylinder, making it ideal for unattended use in public spaces.
Key innovations included:
Fully mechanical operation – no electricity required
Return action via lead screw and carriage linkage
“Dog” mechanism engages the tonearm carriage for reset
Fail-safe liftbar design prevents misalignment
Seamless integration with high-end spring motors
A Mechanical Masterpiece & True One-of-a-Kind
This rare machine combines the best of Edison's craftsmanship, Powell’s mechanical ingenuity, and the need for practical automation in early sound entertainment.
With only two Powell repeater-equipped phonographs known worldwide, both preserved at the Edisonium Mariazell, this exhibit represents an exceptional milestone in the evolution of long-playing acoustic technology – bridging the gap between manual devices and the era of automated, electrically driven machines.
