General Information

Serial #

N/A

Part Number

1

Total Parts

12

AKA

N/A

Patents

N/A

General Description

Sheet metal with plastic and metal parts.

Dimensions

Note: These reflect the general size for storage and are not necessarily representative of the object's true dimensions.

Length

77.2 cm

Width

36.0 cm

Height

23.5 cm

Thickness

N/A

Weight

N/A

Diameter

N/A

Volume

N/A

Lexicon

Group

Communications

Category

Sound

Sub-Category

N/A

Manufacturer

AKA

Edison

Country

United States of America

State/Province

New Jersey

City

West Orange

Context

Country

Unknown

State/Province

Unknown

Period

Unknown

Canada

This is an example of office automation. The introduction of the dictating machine allowed for dictation to be taken without the presence of a stenographer. Also the material could be retrieved whenever the secretary became available as opposed to making her available whenever dictation was needed to be taken. It is believed that this machine was used in Ottawa.

Function

Used to record dictation onto a wax cylinder for transcription at a later time.

Technical

This is an example of a device that allowed for the recording of dictation for transcription at a later time. Edison invented the phonograph in 1877. The method of sound recording by cutting a groove into a wax cylinder was patented in 1886 by Bell and Tainter. This is one of the last models of Edison cylinder dictating machines.

Area Notes

Unknown

Details

Markings

Mfr. logo on microphone reads: "EDISON" Various markings on dictating machine read: "EDISON"; "Thomas A. Edison"; "PUSH/ CYLIND?? [cylinder]/ TO HE?? [here]/ PRESS/ ??N??O/ ???T"; "L"; "C"; "EDISON/ Electronic/ VOICEWRITER" Mfr. logo on back of dictating machine reads: "EDISON"

Missing

No; Motor drives operates but amplifier does not.

Finish

Painted a dark grey-green colour

Decoration

Chrome horizontal line design.