The reality was
that foreign competitors had successfully lowered the cost of
manufacturing phonograph products, and that American companies
could not compete with them. Edison, who had always prided
himself being able produce cheaper and better than his
competitors, now had face the fact that did not have a
product compete with even American manufacturers the
budget disc market.
Edison's image inventor for the public good was
recognized important marketing edge, and his managers and
engineers knew that there were many corners they could not cut
because would sacrifice level quality that had become
associated with Edison products.IX-15
once reigned supreme. Nevertheless, this position
limited the reduction cost and inhibited competition with
the very cheap European disc machines. Edison believed that the American system of
manufacturing was the best the world and that American
companies should become more export minded. and
the Victor Company was that foreign competition would invade
their home market. was important for the company have
a competitive low-priced machine, especially when there was the
constant threat cheap machines imported from Europe. Frank Dyer was impressed
with the cheap disc machines sold Europe and noted that all
at West Orange were surprised that these disc phonographs could
be sold prices well below $10, commenting that "it would
.
Extremely low-priced French and German products had swept
Edison machines from Europe and the fear both TAE Inc
