Online Resources

Here are some useful online resources:
 
Majestic Records is a site maintained by a record collector who provides in depth information about the production and labeling of Edison Discs.

The Audio Preservation Studio at Harvard University has information on their digitization efforts, most notably the NEH-funded Sound Directions project.
 
Diamond Cut History is a digitization project that deals with audio conservation of Edison Diamond Discs.
 
The American Sound Archive is part of the Edison Historic Recordings Restoration Project. This source mainly serves as promotional for the conservation of Edison discs. Here you can purchase recordings that were digitized from original copies and learn more about the culture surrounding the advent of the recording industry.
 
The Cylinder Preservation and Digitization Project (run by University of California at Santa Barbara) runs a== a fascinating site which provides a snapshot of the music, fads, and fancies of a long by-gone era. Thousands of cylinders have been digitally preserved and uploaded for your listening pleasure. This is an easy site to navigate with extensive search capabilities. You can literally spend hours just listening. It is also a wonderful source for information about digital preservation.
 
Tim's Phonographs And Old Records is a personal site compiled by a record collector and his friends.  It may not have the authority of professional institution, but it does contain well-written articles pertaining to the history of the record industry and recording artists - ranging from well known studio singers and artists to some long forgotten names. A wealth of information on this great site, and lots of useful links to other sites.
 
The Michigan Antique Phonograph Society offers a great forum for turn-of-the-century phonograph enthusiasts.
 
EdisonRecords.com is a resource for current and out-of-print publications on Edison as well as other makers of records and phonographs. Based out of Bakersfield College in California. 
 
The Thomas Edison Papers Website (hosted by Rutgers University) is a rich resource for doing research on Edison's legacy and his terrific inventions.  It includes an online database of all his U.S. Patents that is especially useful.