Name/Title
Edison "Standard" Phonograph with Polyphone Attachment (Model A)Entry/Object ID
193Description
Thomas A. Edison, National Phonograph Company
Serial No. 5228 – Built in January 1899
Early "Suitcase" version with dual reproducer system
Historical Background
In 1898, the National Phonograph Company introduced the Edison “Standard” – an affordable, sturdy, and user-friendly cylinder phonograph. It was designed as a direct response to Columbia’s successful “Type B” Graphophone series. The new Standard Model A quickly became a bestseller, with over 230,000 units manufactured. The example on display here, serial number 5228, was built in January 1899 and belongs to one of the very first production runs.
What makes this machine especially remarkable is not just its early production date, but its rare Polyphone attachment, a device designed to double the phonograph’s volume output.
The Polyphone System
The Polyphone attachment was introduced around 1898 by several manufacturers – even appearing in Edison catalogs. It allowed two reproducers to play simultaneously on the same groove. In the Edisonium Mariazell, additional rare examples are exhibited, including a Polyphone Edison Home and an exceptionally rare Edison Polyphone Concert.
How it worked:
Two identical reproducers mounted in perfect alignment on a special yoke
Both styli tracked the same audio groove
Sound was projected through two separate horns, effectively doubling the volume
Marketing materials at the time promoted the Polyphone as the ideal solution for large halls, exhibitions, and busy public venues.
Advantages:
Twice the loudness from simultaneous tracking
Impressive sound projection, ideal for public demonstrations
Disadvantages:
Increased wear on delicate wax cylinders due to two styli pressing on the same groove
Greater mechanical stress and potential synchronization issues
Because of these downsides, the system was short-lived and eventually discontinued. Surviving original machines equipped with Polyphone attachments are exceedingly rare today.
Technical Specifications of the Displayed Machine
Model: Edison Standard Phonograph A (early “Suitcase” version)
Year of Manufacture: January 1899 (Serial No. 5228)
Reproducer: 2× Edison Model C, mounted on Polyphone yoke
Motor: Standard single-spring motor with side crank
Horns: Dual black metal horns
Cabinet: Oak case without logo, snap closures
Significance
This unique machine is not only an early example of Edison’s Standard phonograph line but also a rare survivor from the brief era of mechanical sound amplification via Polyphone technology. It demonstrates the innovative – and sometimes extreme – efforts of early phonograph manufacturers to enhance acoustic performance before the age of electricity.
The device on display at Edisonium Mariazell is a fully functional, museum-grade artifact and a true rarity in the history of sound reproduction.
