phonograph

Manufacturer / Maker Thomas A. Edison, Inc., West Orange, New Jersey

Manufacturer / MakerCreated by Edison Company

Mediummetal, type unknown

Dimensions32 × 15 1/2 × 13 in. (81.3 × 39.4 × 33 cm)

ClassificationsTools, Implements & Weights

Credit LineAlbuquerque Museum, gift of Mr. Keith Bowers, Butler Paper Company

Object numberPC1968.17.3

DescriptionThis device is an Edison Mercury Shaver, designed to shave wax cylinders for reuse with an Ediphone—a dictation machine used in offices during the early 20th century. Developed by the Thomas A. Edison Company in the late 19th century, it reflects the era’s growing accessibility to audio recording technology. Constructed from black-finished metal, the machine features two integrated drawers and a prominently displayed company logo reading: “EDISON / MERCURY SHAVER.” The shaving mechanism is housed beneath a foldable lid on the top of the unit. Below the razor, a series of levers and switches control the operation, each labeled to indicate its function. The machine stands on four legs, each fitted with a small wheel to allow mobility. This remarkable apparatus represents a key milestone in American innovation and the early history of sound recording, standing among the first generation of audio editing tools.

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