Composition of Diamond Discs

Composition and Moisture

Please check the Record Production section for more information on composition

Edison Diamond Discs were made by laminating an early plastic called "Condensite varnish" over a blank (core) comprised of woodflour, chalk, china clay, phenol resin, cotton flock, lamp black, gas black, and denatured alcohol

Early Diamond Discs were made with a layer of a phenolic resin varnish called Condensite over a celluloid layer pressed on to the core, making them incredibly sucepitble to moisture (see Inherent vice & other Preservation issues). The finished 10" disc weighed ten ounces, heavier than most, partially due to the 1/4" thickness of the record.


It is important to note that the Disc Phonograph and the Edison Discs were designed to be an entire system, incompatible with other discs or disc players.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Courtesy of the Edison Phonlogy Website and the Library of Congress