The
managers TAE Inc. Yet
Edison would have none this suggestion even though was
obviously the right business strategy follow; the Edison
disc would immediately have enormous selection recordings
available for its customers, much the same way that IBM
compatible computer today has access the extensive library
of software written for the IBM machine. wanted make reproducer that could
play the laterally cut Victor records, for this would
considerably increase the market for the Edison machine. The top level management in
TAE Inc. Edison had little
sympathy with the arguments his managers, for him was a
matter pride: could not let the Victor Company set the
standards for all the phonograph industry follow. He
wanted his disc machine stand its own merits and quite
different from the competition. was therefore faced with the task persuading the
"old man" see reason, bringing him around their point of
26
view before the forces the marketplace did for them. Music
lovers flocked buy these historic recordings, and the
general record buying public were impressed the "quality" of
Victor discs even they didn't appreciate the music.
Edison enlarged his role the phonograph business,
taking over the vital area music selection and recording. In
the competition with Victor this was probably more important
than the actual machine; many people bought Victor phonographs
because they wanted hear the famous singers who recorded on
.IX-19
as Caruso, record their premium priced labels
