IX- 1
CHAPTER NINE: R&D THE TWENTIETH CENTURY
DEVELOPING THE DISC PHONOGRAPH
The development the Edison disc phonograph was one of
the most vital experimental projects carried out the West
Orange laboratory; the future TAE Inc. The rapid production of
an Edison disc phonograph was the first test the new
engineering organization involving concerted action from both
laboratory and Works. the financial
year ending February 1912 total 61,320 cylinder machines
were sold, compared the 289,822 sold five years earlier.
Sales cylinder phonographs had slipped steadily after
they reached peak 1907, and the steady decline sales
which followed alerted the National Phonograph Company the
realities the phonograph market: the cylinder was decline
and the future belonged the disc record. The
new disc machine was viewed within the Edison organization as
the product which would "put new life into the business" and
return the company its former position prosperity.
TAE Inc.^"
. had the unenviable job breaking into market that
was completely dominated Victor, and then facing Victor's
angry response. depended the
successful introduction disc line. was also test the administrative
skills and marketing prowess the new business organization
