The Victrola became the phonograph
of the twentieth century. Its
spring operated disc mechanism was fitted inside handsome
. Johnson began, like Edison, running small
machine shop. was Johnson's masterpiece. Johnson turned
the gramophone into serious competitor Edison. determined the development of
talking machines for the forty years after its introduction,
when many people came call any phonograph "Victrola".
It embodied several improvements phonograph design, not the
least which was the tapered arm which carried the sound from
the sound box and reproducer. 1901 the
Victor Talking Machine Company was formed the Berliner and
Johnson patents and the latter became the driving force the
new entrant into the industry.
While cheap disc machines competed with the Edison
cylinders for the low end the market, the Victor company
introduced machine that was aimed the more affluent
phonograph buyers. The Victrola was introduced the Victor
Talking Machine Company 1906.IX- 3
significant improvements the machine, including fitting a
spring motor. went become major inventor and
entrepreneur the phonograph industry. The Victrola was remarkable
innovation which combined technological and aesthetic
innovations. His modified Berliner
machine became the Trade Mark model 1896 and later
produced smaller version, the Toy, 1900. Its horn was enclosed the cabinet which gave it
a completely different look
