Edison Exhibition Recordings

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Thomas Edison with his 2nd model 1878 phonograph

The Edison Exhibition Recordings are a group of three wax cylinders recorded by Thomas Edison in 1888–1889:

• "Around the World on the Phonograph"
• "The Pattison Waltz"
• "Fifth Regiment March"

In 2002, these recordings were chosen among the first 50 recordings to be selected for preservation in the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress for being “culturally, historically or aesthetically significant”

Background

Although Édouard-Léon Scott de Martinville had been the first to record sound in 1853–1861, Thomas Edison was the first to publicly display the technology with his invention, the Phonograph, with his first recording being a recital of Mary Had a Little Lamb. The primary format used for the machine was Tin foil. Because of this, the recordings could not withstand constant use and would eventually become unplayable. Regardless, Edison's invention quickly drew large attention and Edison became a celebrity. Following this, Edison turned his attention towards his invention of the Lightbulb.

When Thomas Edison returned to recording, technology had improved thanks to the inventions of Alexander Graham Bell and Emile Berliner. They had invented the Phonograph cylinder as the primary form for sound recording. Due to this, sound could be longer and have better fidelity, expanding the possibilities of the medium.

Content

Around the World on the Phonograph (1888)

Around The World on the Phonograph

Around the World on the Phonograph was recorded in October 1888. The recording features Edison describing an imaginary trip around the world "from New York City to Liverpool, through Europe and Asia" noting specific ships, railroads, cities, and points of interest en route.

The Pattison Waltz (1889)

The Pattison Waltz was recorded on February 25, 1889, and features Effie Stewart on vocals and Theo Wangemann on piano. The song dates back to 1877 and was named for its composer J.N. The song is mainly performed in Vocalese with some lyrics:

I would like

If we could

Here alone

with no other

The Fifth Regiment March (1889)

The Fifth Regiment March was recorded in March 1889 and featured Issler's Orchestra (led by pianist Edward Issler). The march is a medley featuring various songs including Goodnight, Ladies, Mary Had a Little Lamb, Stephen Foster's Some Folks Do, among others.

Preservation

Following the recording of the cylinders, they were preserved in a glass and wood case with the recorder and reproducer with which they were made on the first Perfected Phonograph. The cylinders were white wax (actually yellow paraffin wax) that were soon replaced in the 1890s by brown "wax" cylinders (actually a metallic soap composite), that became the first produced on a widespread commercial scale.

In 1913, Talking Machine World magazine visited Walter A. Miller who by then had become manager of the Thomas A. Edison, Inc. Recording Department. He proudly displayed the glass case with the Exhibition Recordings. The recording lines on the white wax were still visible but the cards identifying the selections bearing Miller's handwriting had yellowed with age.

The original cylinders reside in temperature-controlled storage at the Thomas Edison National Historical Park in New Jersey.

The Library of Congress selected these recordings for preservation in the National Recording Registry in the first year of the registry's existence in 2002.

Given their age, these recordings are public domain in the United States and are freely available on the internet.

References

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