THE FABULOUS PHONOGRAPH
By
A review of the life of the phonograph carries it from tin foil to hi-fi and embellishes the history of an invention, an instrument and an industry with choice facts. The creation and improvement of the machine are related to business beginnings, ups and downs, with Cros, Edison, Berliner, Seaman, Johnson and many others making their varied contributions. The competition of Victor and Columbia, the former selling during the Red Seal epoch by quality as well as quantity, the latter introducing doublesided records and later LPs, orchestral music coming from overseas, Caruso discs from 1902, Le Jazz Hot in Chippendale cabinets, the effects of Sousa, Petrillo, war, radio and mergers -- all are part of this well written three-pronged history which tells winningly of a fabulous subject indeed.