THANK YOU, MR. EDISON   Lesson Two: Edison's Role in the Electrification of America

The Early Motion Pictures and Sound Recordings of the Edison Companies

Mrs. Lathrop mentions the Victrola phonograph and the "Movies" in her letter to Thomas Edison. Inventing Entertainment in American Memory focuses on both. Andre Millard notes in his book, Edison and the Business of Innovation, "Many remember Edison as the man who brought the wonders of electric light to the world. Yet in terms of the amount of time spent experimenting on the phonograph, Edison should be remembered as the man who labored for years to bring us the clear, faithful reproduction of music. This was his life's work." (pp. 220-21) It was a quest that spanned fifty-two years.

Edison Biography:

1. Read The Life of Thomas A. Edison to gain an understanding of the major features of Edison's life.

2. The Timeline for Inventing Entertainment provides information about the major events in Edison's personal life and the key dates for the phonograph and motion pictures. Develop a timeline which provides the most essential items relevant to the development of the phonograph, sound recordings, and motion pictures.

Phonograph:

Thomas Edison developed both a cylinder phonograph and recordings and a disc phonograph and recordings.

1. Go to Edison Sound Recordings and read the introductory material.

2. Mrs. Lathrop mentions her phonograph by referring to the Victrola. However, this was a brand name for a competitor. Despite Edison's pioneering work, Victrola became a term people used as a synonym for the phonograph. The History of the Edison Cylinder Phonograph is an informative summary of Edison's work with the first type of phonograph and recordings.

3. Also informative is the complete catalog for Edison Phonographs, Cylinder Types: 1913-1914.

4. Edison's work with discs is in The History of the Edison Disc Phonograph. This collection provides a history of both the Edison cylinder and disc phonographs.

5. Based on the material about Edison's development of the phonograph:

   1. Construct a visual display and history of the phonograph, illustrating the changes over time.
   2. Include Edison material as well as that of various models over the years up to current "boom boxes," CD players, and component systems. Materials for recent equipment can be found in contemporary publications.
   3. Compare and contrast these systems in terms of design and technology.

Sound Recordings:

Edison recordings also provide an auditory archive. Mrs. Lathrop says she listened to her Victrola. You can hear what she heard, or at least listen to similar recordings.

1. Go to Edison Sound Recordings to search the selected recordings.
   The disc recordings include instrumental, vocal, spoken word, spoken comedy, foreign language and ethnic, religious, opera, and concert selections.

   NOTE: To listen to the recordings you may need a special player. For help with audio players, go to American Memory Viewer Information.

2. Go to Overview of Edison Disc Recordings by Genre.
   Each genre offers an opportunity to analyze the type of selection and cultural factors which influenced their development. Prepare a web-based presentation with your group that incorporates select portions of several recordings and analyzes each genre.

Motion Pictures:

Mrs. Lathrop wrote about seeing "a masterpiece at the Movies." Edison's work with the "Movies" began with the earliest camera test in 1891 and ended in 1918, when his company ceased film production. Edison Motion Pictures is the brief introductory page to the film collection.

Working in your assigned group:

1. Read your section of:

   • History of Edison Motion Pictures, and
   • Overview of Edison Motion Pictures by Genre.

2. Create a web-based presentation that contains:

   • a brief summary of an aspect of Edison movie history; and
   • an analysis of one of the film genres, including films.

NOTE: To view films you may need a special player. Go to American Memory Viewer Information for help. Download times may be lengthy.