Name/Title
Excelsior Dictation Machine with Spring MotorEntry/Object ID
297Description
Mechanical precision from Cologne-Nippes – a dictation device for the modern office of the imperial era. (Cologne, ca. 1910)
This rare and technically remarkable dictation machine was manufactured around 1910 by Excelsiorwerk, Fabrik für Feinmechanik GmbH in Cologne-Nippes. It is a fully functional office dictation device, equipped with a mechanical spring-driven motor and a dual-head system for both recording and playback.
Technical Features:
Spring-driven motor for operation independent of electricity
Solid wood cabinet
Large cast-iron wax cylinder with high recording capacity
Two separate soundboxes: "Reproducer" and "Recorder", each adjustable via precision mechanics
Fine-scale ruler for accurate positioning of dictation segments
Historical Context and Significance:
Alongside Pathé and Edison, Excelsior was one of the few German manufacturers that successfully produced and marketed its own cylinders and recording devices. The company had been in existence since at least 1899.
Patent specification No. 232839, filed on July 5, 1910, describes a special mechanism for quickly switching between soundboxes. This system allowed the horn to remain in place while the user switched between recording and playback – a significant advantage for everyday office use.
Rarity and Museum Value:
The model on display at the Edisonium in Mariazell is one of the very few surviving examples of this type. The Excelsior company ceased operations during the economic crisis of 1929 – making this device all the more valuable as a witness to German innovation in the early industrialization of office communication.
